With A Little Luck

Wings, 1977

Facing each other
Soaked to the skin
He made a joke about turning his back on the inclement weather
And with a knowing smile she said
There is no end to what we can do together
And after that
There was no looking back

Earlier this week, writing a poem - part of which above - about bus stops, arithmetic and grammar (because, why not?), I found myself unthinkingly using the phrase “inclement weather” to describe a rain-soaked walk home on a Friday night.

“Inclement weather” is not something I say out loud, although I suppose I might do soon if perform this poem. But I’m aware of a strange internal weather report in my head which utilises the phrase on many days from November through to March (and quite a few from April to October).

Over the years, the two words have wormed their way into my subconscious via Paul McCartney’s song With a Little Luck recorded by his band Wings in 1977 and released the following year. The willow turns his back on inclement weather / And if he can do it, we can do it, just me and you.

Like so many of Paul McCartney’s songs, its beauty lies in its simplicity, instantly recognisable by those two opening keyboard chords. For a relationship to succeed, all we need is a little luck. And with that little bit of luck, you’ll feel the comet exploding. ☄️