Previously published in the Resonance New Poets Anthology (2024)

Because I’m desperate to tell you about why it has no folds in its skin.

Together we could give pet names to the ostriches
To make their beady eyes seem less intrusive

“Look over there, it’s Ozzy the Ostrich!”

“Oh hey, Olly the Ostrich, how’s it hanging?”

Because somehow adding a ‘y’ to the end of a name has that effect.

We could leave a label on the Cloutie Tree of Happiness
Thanking Mr Horniman for bringing us together
And wishing one day that our wedding rings would be on display.

We could break the rules and touch the instruments
Serenade each other with Fur Elise
Or the Wii Channel theme if I can remember the chords.

I would buy you a jelly cat fox from the gift shop
Join in the cacophony of yummy mummies
Calling out to our imaginary children

“Tarquin, don’t mess with that!”
“Petunia, PLEASE leave your mother and I alone”

We would argue about who parked the pram in the buggy park
And concede that, yes, we should have bought a more distinguished-looking stroller.

Together we would drink jasmine tea and eat lemon drizzle in the medicinal garden
Fawn over the alpacas, lambs and confusingly large rabbits.

I’m leaving the Horniman Museum
Wishing someone had asked me about the walrus.