The plumber

He says he’ll be her plumbline,

determine the centre of gravity

of her irregular shape.

Tick tock, he’s plumb in the middle,

a time bomb, aplomb,

proud he has the pipes

and she only has the waste.

Drip drop, tick tock,

hum, rattle, bonding is like welding,

fixer of her leaking valves.

Expert on rolling water

through the house

and master of the stop cock.

Orders her to blow the pipe

To ease the airlock.

Drip drop, tick tock.

He says he needs to stay

and repair the damage she has caused

with her brazenness.

Her heart is flushed through

with red rust.

It laps against the skirting board

and licks his shoes

He’s brought his manual and hardware.

I’m your plumber he says,

restorer of your centre of gravity.

Hold tight.