Out of the Blue: Simon Armitage

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Extract from 'Out of the Blue'

You have picked me out.

Through a distant shot of a building burning

you have noticed now

that a white cotton shirt is twirling, turning.

In fact I am waving, waving.

Small in the clouds, but waving, waving.

Does anyone see a

soul worth saving?

And when will you come?

Do you think you are watching, watching

a man shaking crumbs

or pegging out washing?

I am trying and trying.

The heat behind me is searing, searing,

but the white of surrender is not yet flying.

I am not at the point of launching, leaving.

A bird goes by.

The depth is appalling. Appalling

that others like me

should be wind-milling, wheeling, spiralling, falling.

Are your eyes believing,

believing?

Here in the gills

I am still breathing.

But tiring, tiring.

Sirens below me are wailing, firing.

My arm is numb and my nerves are sagging.

Do you see me, my love. I am failing. Flagging.

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