And I won't get any older

The overpowering even through
the car window of the farmyards and
muck spreading in Hampshire fields
as a new song comes on the radio
about a man who used to be disgusted

I've recently become obsessed with
every new song and all the old songs
it's a thrilling addiction that
lights up my developing brain along
side the horrifying surges of puberty
with much sprouting and eruptions
I tried to be amused

But how long can you hold your breath and
pretend none of this is happening
the horrors of school briefly paused
now the immersion in family conflict
can be resumed, and how long

Will this stench continue, it's
right in the back seat with me and
my oblivious sister
in the days before seatbelts
on the way to grandma's
for the summer holidays it's
as if the filth will cling to me forever

Same as the man on the radio with
the unlikely name who's done some kind of
deal with he devil even if he talks
of angels