GREASING LIGHTNING

Greasing lightning
takes co-ordination.
It’s like dancing on starlight,
juggling chainsaws,
shaving through turbulence,
there’s a certain amount
of concentration
needed to get
it right.

1st – you’ve got to surf the clouds
aiming for the dark bits
because that’s where
the action happens.
Watch out though,
the dark bits
can be dangerous,
tricky in a needle and thread
sort of way.
Maybe wear some special glasses,
shatterproof if you’ve got.
And a wristwatch,
your timing has to be impeccable.

Next, its mounting
the lightning.
The best way is just to jump on.
Anticipate the flash.
If you jump as you see it
you’ll be
too late.
Lightning doesn’t stand
on ceremony,
it flicks through space and time.
So jump just before,
get a hold
of that bolt and then...
CLING FOR DEAR LIFE!
The next ten seconds
are going to be a ride
of intense proportion,
rodeo style
on a galaxy mustang comet scorcher.

Don’t worry,
it will settle,
I promise.
Then it’s time for the greasing.
Lightning needs to gleam.
It has to glint
like polished electricity.
Start at the very bottom,
at the sharpest tip
and rub –
rub rub rub rub rub,
lightning power deserves
your tennis elbow,
it deserves your arthritis.
Work your way up.
It will feel strangely warm,
like oxidation,
erotic in a demure sort of way,
static,
a jolt of hazard
you can’t resist.
Touching lightning feels like
a thousand panda bears
applauding.
You’ll get used to it.
Keep working.
There’s reward in this endeavour,
don’t let up.
The lightning will be angry
but you’ve had arguments before.
You’ll polish the sides,
the angles,
the curves,
the corners,
always remembering
greasing lightning is no shop stewards fancy.
It’s a mean job,
a job for the magnificent,

not for wasters, or waifs,
or people of an apathetic resonance,
It’s not for the poor me’s, self pities,
bastards, biters, bullies,
or bums.

It’s for people who care about being people who care.

And then
at its brightest
you’ll alight,
quickly or you’ll burn
your fingers,
and watch in awe
as the world erupts
in a burst
of polished lucidity.