painting by numbers

Clichés are supposed to be things that are so true they get overdone …but not only is that a cliché in itself, there are so many exceptions. Cameras do lie, all the time. Money makes you happy, and it turns out you actually can judge a book by its cover. Maybe someone could tell this to the clipboard lady in the back of my head.

She’s standing there with a child development chart and she’s measuring me against it.

9 months – utters first word. (tick) Can speak in sentences by 2 years (tick) 7 – starts pushing boundaries (tick) 30 – realises the world doesn’t revolve purely around her (could do better. See me) 40 – has own home, good job, partner, kids, (oh, cross, cross cross! Bring me a new red biro) You’d think the clipboard lady would resign but she just stamps around.

I’m starting to bore myself so I resolve to notice the outside world more. It isn’t all about me.

A perfect moment on the motorway. Blackthorn clouds line both sides and I feel like I am flying a small plane. The runway stretches ahead of me.  In the distance, the belching chimneys of the terminal – Slough

A man outside a coffee shop laughs as he loses his helium balloons to the sky

A duck swims past, it’s wake the letter V

An old man compliments me on my roof garden and thanks me for being there. He’s same man who, 6 weeks ago, told me my plants had seen better days. He doesn’t recognise me.

Leaves starting to appear, softening the stark V’s of the branches.

A formation of birds fly by in the shape of a V.

A robin’s footprints in the dust. V V V V V V V

She’s right. I really could do better.