Broughshane
Despite efforts at community relations
competition is hot between neighbours,
they sweat the outcome in Rangers’ shirts
or couture bought from Logans or McKillens
to keep up appearances as they garden
by planters and tubs filled with begonias,
petunias and aubretia that cascades
in tendrils, flowerheads coiffed to perfection
they vie with each other to create
the most attractive display
and tell each other upstairs over lunch
or a jar in The Thatch public bar
the annual entente floriale
verges on fanaticism,
a familiar expression here
though not always cordiale,
the residents want to retain the title
and they don’t speak much French here anyway
it’s Ulster Scots
among the Stepford wives
and Presbyterian doorsteps
festooned with hanging baskets,
purple and orange are popular
along with red, white and blue
the same as the pennants,
a masterclass in skillful coordination
to complement the summer palette;
harmony reigns on the Twelfth parade
