[Section 2 of 200, entitled Witness, kicks off the narrative proper and introduces the poem’s second overarching theme of ‘witnessing’ and ‘evidence’ and the ways in which these mesh with the fuzzy boundary between truth and falsity. This will clash throughout the poem with the theme of mathematical discipline and mental arithmetic introduced in the Prologue. Despite the inherent difficulty of the themes addressed, I am trying to keep each section short, sharp and vernacular. Fictitious and semi-fictitious characters appear fleetingly, stereotypically and with cartoonish superficiality, as is usual in my current work. I have no interest whatsoever in creating a simulacrum of psychological ‘depth’ or a ‘documentary’ of ‘reality’. In my view, no such things exist.]

200 Section 2 Witness

The afternoon sun

is already declining

in the chilly white sky

behind the steeple,

as Jeb and Gem watch

Yu and the General stagger

out of the pub at chucking-

out time and chuck up

their ploughman’s lunch

into the bin outside the cathedral.

“Look at the state

of those two,” Jeb exclaims,

looking at his watch. “And it’s

only just gone three.” “And he’s

old enough to be her grandfather,” Gem

adds, “Yuk!”, as Jeb hurries

her away from the ugly scene.