The tree outside my window has got

its leaves back, obliterating my view

of the road. Big and plentiful and green,

their re-emergence means that now I

just have to suffer the noise of the mutant-

army that gathers and quarrels restlessly

with itself, before threatening to

smash-up the car belonging to the

Lithuanians who live somewhere to

the left of the corner-shop. It’s hot

and it’s late and Rovers have beaten

FC and everybody has gone insane,

myself included.