John Lawrence was born in Belfast in 1964. In 1982 he enrolled at Cambridge University to read Politics after which he gained a diploma in International Law. In 1988 John relocated to the United States where he took up a position with the UN Diplomatic Corp. In 2001 John returned to Belfast with his wife and children and runs a small horticultural business
Little Sparrow by John Lawrence
Edith Piaf's poised alertly
above the illegible features of
Ms Dietrich.
She's saying something in French
Important enough for her to
Take her time and concentrate her gaze.
But she has presence of mind enough,
Enough to prevent those porthole eyes
From passing over Ms Dietrich's frigid countenance
Aware of how easily distracted she might become.
You get the impression her eyes impart some degree of
Frozen startlement first thing in the morning
Like the stay-fast glare of this waking alcoholic
Recognising at last the sad sad enduring familiarity
Of the black & grey stem of his bedside lamp
Chipped in a move
And for many years
passed beyond any acknowledgement
Till now.
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