Just one big issue left to sell
And draped in his red uniform
He timidly walks into this East London restaurant
Eastern promises of western life
Have brought him here.
Promises not for him, but for the son of his wife.
Head bowed and hand to heart
He tells of his experience:
Two years selling big issue
Two years in London
No passport but a laminated card showing his identity.
No kitchen experience but a very good dish washer at home.
I hear the front of house staff discuss him with the head chef
Sun or snow, they say, he’s out there selling.
He assures the chef he never misses a day, always hard working.
11am tomorrow. Don’t be late.
As he packs up his red uniform and puts his last big issue under his arm,
He leaves with a beaming smile.
This eastern man has found his right step
and turns left, west on exmouth market.