#1955
Outside the Duke of Wellington
you waited for me
clutching your doll
close against you.
I met you there
by the metal railway bridge
nearly opposite
the coal wharf.
I met you
in the grocer shop
that morning
while we were shopping
for our mothers
and arranged going
to the herbalist shop.
"Sarsaparilla
makes blood"
I told you.
"Does it?"
You said.
"So Jim told me"
I informed.
"So if I drink a pint
will it make a pint
of blood?"
You asked.
"Guess so"
I said
"going by
what Jim said."
We walked up the road
behind the cinema.
We passed a *****
sitting by the side
of the road smoking.
You were nervous
and stared at him
through your
thick lenses glasses.
We came out
on to the New Kent Road.
The road was busy
with mid-morning traffic
so we went down
the subway.
"Got money?"
I said.
"Got 1/-"
you said opening
your palm.
"That be enough?"
I nodded.
"Plenty enough"
I replied.
We walked down the road
by the train station
and went past the entrance.
"Have I got enough
for liquorice sticks too?"
You asked.
" Plenty"
I said.
We crossed the road
to the herbalist shop
on the corner
and went in.
We bought
liquorice sticks
and two glasses
of saraprilla
and gave the man
our money.
We stood
by the window
looking out
pretending
we were drinking stout.
Apr 29, 2018
Apr 29, 2018 at 7:08 AM UTC
You walked the bomb site
with Benny,
he was relating
about some gunslinger
he'd seen at the flicks
and how the gunslinger
had his guns different
from other gunslingers
he'd seen,
with guns back to front
so that he had
to cross his hands
over to reach guns
from different holsters.
You listened as you often did
to his talk on guns
and gunslingers
and cowboy films
he'd seen.
He bent down
and picked up a stone
for his catapult
which he had
in the back pocket
of his jeans.
You told him
about your young brother
and how your mother
wanted you to hold him steady
while she changed his *****
and how he kicked his legs,
and how hard it was
to hold him there,
and your mother saying:
Hold him steady
while I get
his clean ***** on.
Benny weighed the stone
in the palm of his hand,
then put it in his pocket.
So did you managed
to hold him?
Benny said.
You looked past him
as a copper walked
towards you both.
Copper, you said.
Benny turned
and stood beside you.
What are you doing here?
the copper said.
Looking for ammunition,
Benny said.
Ammunition?
the copper said.
Stones for my catapult,
Benny said.
Bomb sites
are dangerous places,
so clear off,
the copper said.
You stared nervously
at the copper.
But I need stones,
Benny said.
I don't care
if you are looking
for the Crown Jewels,
the copper said,
sling your hook.
You followed Benny
off the bomb site
into Meadow Row.
The copper stood
watching you,
hands at his sides.
Let's go to the other
bomb site,
Benny said,
up off the other side
of the Square.
You looked back
at the copper
still standing there.
©
Mar 8, 2018
Mar 8, 2018 at 7:00 AM UTC
Helen was in the sandpit
making sandcastles
with the ***** yellow sand.
Benedict was sitting
on the low wall
staring into space.
Buckley said girls didn't have
the same as boys;
said his sister hadn't
when he saw her bath time.
Aren't you going
to make sandcastles?
Helen said.
He looked at her
and her sandy hands.
Guess I can,
he said,
getting down
from the wall.
She offered him
a small blue *****
and small bucket.
Wonder if they have?
Buckley could have
been telling fibs.
I have made
three sandcastles,
she said,
the sand is damp
after yesterday's rain.
He shovelled sand
into the bucket.
A woman with her daughter
was in the sandpit
making sandcastles.
He looked at her.
He wondered if she.
Don't trust Buckley.
That time he said he saw
his parents playing games
when he went to their room
for a glass of water one night.
Benedict made
two sandcastles
and joined them up
to Helen's three.
Our big castle,
she said excitedly.
Girls must have
he mused moodily.
Sep 24, 2017
Sep 24, 2017 at 10:43 AM UTC
Helen brought me
small round stones
for my catapult
from the bomb site
off Meadow Row.
She brought them
captured in her
small pink hands.
Can I try your catapult?
She asked.
Sure you can
I replied
handing her
the weapon
and showing how
to load and shoot.
She aimed along her
narrow arm and the Y
at the end and let go
and watched the stone
whizz away
fly past a tin can
and disappear amongst
debris and weeds.
Try again
I said.
She tried again
and missed the can
but almost winged a pigeon
in its flight.
On her final attempt
she missed the can and pigeon
and hit nothing but infinity.
Sep 3, 2017
Sep 3, 2017 at 11:01 AM UTC
I was with Helen
on the bomb site
on Harper Road.
I was practising
drawing my toy gun
from the left hand holster
as I’d seen Billy the Kid
do in the film.
I was better
with my right
but I did it but slower.
Why do you need
to have a gun
both sides?
Helen said.
So I can shoot
two bad guys
instead of one
I said.
She watched me patiently
I drew my left hand gun
again and again
until I was happy
I was quite quick.
I showed her
around the bomb site
there was a bombed out
butcher's shop
and we got in
the back door
(which had been
busted open by someone).
I showed her around
careful of the stairs
they're a bit fragile
I said
as we climbed
the shaky staircase.
Upstairs there
was a hole in the roof
and we could see the sky
we went to the window
avoiding walking
on the center of the room
(we walked
around the sides)
and looked out
the window
on Harper Road.
I got caught here
the other week
with other kids
and a Rozzer
told me off
I said.
Rozzer?
she said.
A policeman
I said.
O I would hate that
she said.
Don't worry
I will keep an eye out
I said.
We looked around
then came out
the back way.
We went
to the 1d shop
and bought two bottles
of 1d drinks
and sherbet dips
and walked back
to Rockingham Street
and we began
to drink and eat.
Aug 7, 2017
Aug 7, 2017 at 2:16 AM UTC
And I told 'er
your old man
don't go round 'er place
for nothink
he must be up ta
somethink
the woman said.
Benny’s mother
did not reply
but nodded
as in agreement.
His mother
never dropped her H's
and her vowels
were rounded
giving the impression
of upmarket
or posh sounding.
Stands ta reason
I told 'er
can't trust men
as far as you can
throw 'em.
Benny stood
behind his mother
gazing at the cakes
on display
in the glass case
shelf after shelf of them.
His mouth watered
at the ones at the bottom
with shredded
coconut on top.
He wondered
if he could persuade
his mother to buy
him a coconut cake
only 4d
for Christ’s-sake.
But he never asked
he understood
that things
were tight
and it was only right
she spend her
money wisely.
But still
his mouth watered.
But will she listen?
the woman continued
not on your belly
goes all off with me
only doing it
for your sake
I says to 'er.
His mother nodded
looked at the woman kindly
but with a sense
of stiffness or aloofness
Benny thought.
Once the old girl
had gone
and the shopping bought
Benny’s dream
of cake or cakes
came to nought.
Jul 24, 2017
Jul 24, 2017 at 6:37 AM UTC
Helen fell over
in the park
and cut her hand.
I took her
to the first aid lady
in the little hut
at the park entrance.
How did
you do it?
I feel off
the swing.
She dab the cut
with yellow stinky stuff.
Helen winced
******* up
her face.
Who is he ?
She said
looking at me.
He's my friend Benny
Helen said.
Didn't push her off
I suppose?
No he didn't
Helen said
I fell.
Why would I
push her off?
she's my friend
I said.
You never know
what kids'll do
around here
the woman said
gazing at me sternly.
After dabbing
the cut clean
she wrapped
a bandaged
around it
and stuck it down
with pink plaster.
That should
keep it clean
best show
your mother
when you get home
the woman said
now shoo
I have other things
to do.
We walked
out the hut.
Helen looking at
her bandaged hand.
Shall we go
home now?
she said.
Sure if you like
I said.
We walked out
the park
and along
Bath Terrace.
Helen said
Mrs Knight's new kitten
tried to escape
but it had crept
into Helen's parent's flat
and they took it back.
When we got
to Helen's flat
she showed her mother
the bandaged hand
and explained
what happened.
Her mother said
good boy Benny
and gave me
a glass of lemonade
and a biscuit or two.
What else
was a 7 year old
boy to do?
Jul 17, 2017
Jul 17, 2017 at 2:44 PM UTC
Helen said
the woman
in the flat
above hers
(Mrs Knight)
had a new kitten
to replace the one
that got run over
on the road.
It was a tabby
and when Mrs Knight
lets it out
it rubs
against my legs
Helen said.
I can show
when you
come round
next time.
We walked
to Jail Park
went on the swings.
I'm going
to get a kitten
when I'm older
she said
a tabby
like Mrs Knight.
We rode
the swings high
rising up
into the morning air.
I pretended
I was in a Spitfire
shooting down
German warplanes
tat-a-tat-tat
I went.
Helen talked on
about how the kitten
drinks the milk
she puts out
on a saucer
but too often
or it'll want to live
with us
she said.
I shot down
half a dozen warplanes
the invisible pilots
falling dead.
Jun 29, 2017
Jun 29, 2017 at 3:16 AM UTC
Benny Coles looked past the bomb site at the road beyond. Cars, buses and lorries went past almost without stop . To his right the bomb site reached to the railway arches boarded up and the railway above where steam trains went by frequently. To his left the bomb site reached to Meadow Row, with the green grocer shop on the corner of narrow Arch Street, with the public house on the opposite corner. Behind him was the back of the coal wharf where lorries and horse-drawn wagons waited to be filled with black sacks of coal or coke. Benny stood, hands in the pockets of his blue jeans, wearing his white open neck shirt, his coloured patterned sleeveless jumper . His terrain, his manor, as far as his hazel seven year old eyes could see. His uncle Freddie talked of his manor and who did what and when. Uncle Freddie was a tall, lean man with a steady unblinking stare, or so it seemed to Benny whenever his uncle talked to him. Need to know what's going on in your manor, Uncle said, puffing on his cigarette, eyeing Benny, taking in his brown hair, with a quiff, and those hazel eyes that seemed to sparkle. Benny liked it when his uncle talked of the War. About being in Monty's mob in North Africa fighting Jerry. Who this Jerry was Benny was unsure, but it was exciting to listen to what his uncle said. Benny took out his catapult from the back pocket of his jeans and picking up a small stone from the bomb site placed the stone in the pouch and aimed at a pigeon over the way. He released the pouch and the stone whizzed through the air, but missed the pigeon which took off in fright, and hit the old wooden door of one of the railway arches. He had aimed at a rat one time which he saw in one of the ruins of a bombed out house, but he missed and the rat ran off back inside the ruins out of sight. He liked the bomb site. He liked to imagine who lived there before the bombs fell, what they were doing before the War. On some walls of the bombed out houses there was still wallpaper and on one wall he saw a picture frame still hanging, although the roof and one wall were missing. Later he would go to see if his friend Helen was allowed out. A plumpish girl, aged seven, with wire-framed spectacles with thick lens which made her eyes large like cow's eyes, and dark brown hair tied in two bunches. He bent down and chose another small stone, and put it the pouch of the catapult, and aimed at an old tin can sitting on a large boulder over by the arches. He pulled back the pouch and let it go. The stone whizzed through the air and knocked the tin can off with a clatter. He put the catapult away in his back pocket and walked back towards Meadow Row. He'd have some lunch at home, then go to see if Helen was going out. He walked past the public house, a piano was playing, and through an open door he saw an old man sitting at the bar with a glass of beer and smoking a pipe. A barmaid was standing there, a cigarette between her red lips, her blonde hair piled up on her head like a beehive. Benny walked on down Meadow Row, passing houses on both sides, the cobbled road was shining where rain had fallen that morning. He crossed Rockingham Street, looking both ways to make sure nothing was coming. He walked up the slope to the Square, and along by the pram sheds, walked past the baker with his horse-drawn cart, and along and up the concrete stairs to the flat where he lived with his parents and siblings, and the budgie named Billy. He stopped outside the front door and peered over the balcony and the view beyond. His manor, his terrain. The sky looked dull which promised thunder and a downpour of rain
May 30, 2017
May 30, 2017 at 9:23 AM UTC
Helen showed me
the conker
she had found
brown with a black area
at one end
she held it
in her small
pink hand.
I picked it up
weighed it
in my hand.
It was a good one
I told her.
She said
she found it
along St George's Road
on the way home
from school
the day before.
It was amongst
others Benny
she said
but it seemed
the best one.
We walked through
the Square
to get
my mother's shopping
the conker
in my pocket.
Helen said her
upstairs neighbour
Mrs Knight
had a new cat
a kitten all black
when Mrs Knight
showed her
the room behind her
smelt of cats
and old dinners.
I bought the items
on the shopping list
my mother had given me
with the coins
wrapped up in it.
I put the stuff
in the shopping bag
we went back
to my parents' flat.
I put the conker
with others I had
in my room.
We went out again
although the sky
looked like rain.
May 13, 2017
May 13, 2017 at 4:07 AM UTC
A fight erupted
in the playground
two boys
circling each other
jabbing out
punches now and then
mostly wrestling
of a sort
then pushing apart
to throw
pathetic punches
once again.
I watched
from the sideline
within the crowd.
The tall kid
had the reach
but missed more often
than he hit.
The tubby kid
was slow but
when he hit
it struck hard
because the tall kid
winced
saw it
on his face.
No girls came
and watched
they were too busy
at other things
to bother
or they didn't like
the sight of blood
or roughness.
My money
(not that
I had any)
was on the tubby kid.
Hit him Watts
a voice said
from the crowd.
Then a voice said
prefects!
and the crowd dispersed
like a Red Sea.
The fighters merged
with the crowd
and there was nothing
left to see.
May 12, 2017
May 12, 2017 at 3:28 AM UTC
Benny showed me
how to twirl
a toy gun
around my finger.
I managed to do
as he said
although it fell off
my finger a few times
before I did it right.
Mum said
it isn't ladylike
to twirl a gun
around my finger
but I like doing
what Benny does.
I like being
Maid Marian
to his Robin Hood
or Mrs Earp
to his Wyatt Earp.
He showed me
how to fire
a catapult
and knock a tin can
off a wall.
Mum wanted me
to help her
clean up
my little brother
as he kicked so
while she changed
his *****
I had to hold
his little legs
to stop him kicking
and the smell
was yuk.
On Saturday
Benny said we
can go to
the morning matinee
and see films
and cartoons.
I'll have to ask Mum
and see if she
can afford
for me to go.
Benny said
it's 6d.
Mum looked tired
when she said
it was bedtime.
I went to bed
but couldn't get
twirling a toy gun
around my finger
out of my head.
Apr 29, 2017
Apr 29, 2017 at 3:28 AM UTC
Helen said
Mrs Knight's cat
had died
got run over out
on the road
squashed up
in the kerb.
Helen showed me
her face distraught
tears in eyes.
There it was
a tabby cat dead
and bloodied.
Does
Mrs Knight know?
I said.
Yes she's
most upset
Helen said
she asked my dad
if he could box it up
and bury it outback
in the small bit of garden
no one uses
and he said
he would after his dinner.
We watched the dead cat
it seemed old
and was probably
in cat's heaven now
I said
to cheer her up.
Do you think
so Benny?
she said.
Sure it is
I said.
She seemed pleased
and we walked off
leaving the cat
to Helen's dad
to pick up and bury
in the small bit
of garden
no one uses
except other cats
to **** in or wait
for birds to catch.
We walked under
the railway bridge
as a steam train
steamed over
and away.
Poor kitty
no more to play.
Apr 7, 2017
Apr 7, 2017 at 3:41 PM UTC
My old man
was eating
his dinner
at the table
by the window.
I had eaten mine
and was attempting
to draw my toy
six shooter
from the holster
on my right side
as fast as I could.
My mother was
in the kitchen
sorting wash.
My sister was
in the other room
playing with her dolls.
I draw out the gun
and POW POW
I shoot at the bad guys
at the bar in the saloon
then put my gun back
in the holster.
You could
draw quicker
if you tied
a piece of string
through the holster
and tied it
around your leg
like they do
in the films
my old man says.
Can you do it?
I ask.
Sure
after I've eaten
he says.
I take out the gun
and twirl it
around my finger
like I had seen
it done at the movies
and then shoot POW POW
at the tall bad guy
who was going
to shoot me
from the side.
Last night
I was Billy the Kid
and was shot
by Pat Garrett.
Later I guess
I'll be Jesse James
and some ****
while shoot me
in the back.
Apr 7, 2017
Apr 7, 2017 at 11:41 AM UTC
Cogan compared
his fists with mine
his were larger
with scarred skin.
I compared his face
to an ape
he didn't smile
but stared at me
you want this?
he said showing me
his fist.
Not today
I have already eaten
I said by reply.
He smacked one fist
into the palm
of the other.
Any time you fancy
your chances
he said
I’ll be waiting for you
after school.
He thumped
his palm again
and walked away.
I watched him go
never hit a person
with glasses on
my mother always said
but in Cogan case
I’d make an exception
if he bugged me to.
Helen had been watching
over by the wall
of the playground.
What did he want?
she asked
looking at me
through her
thick lens glasses.
We were comparing
fist sizes
I said.
Why do that?
she said.
He tried to throw
his weight about
but I wasn't having it
I said.
She looked scared
what if he waits
for you after school?
He's said that before
and he never waited
or showed
I replied.
But he might
this time
she said
biting her lower lip.
Don't worry about him
the big hunk
I've watched Roy Rogers
fight on the TV
I said.
What if he gets you
before you can get him
she said.
The bell rang
for the end of recess
so we walked back
into school
and up the stairs
to the classroom.
Cogan was sitting
at the back
staring at me
as I sat down.
I gave him a nod
as I turned around
and smiled
just to get him angry
and get him wild.
Mar 13, 2017
Mar 13, 2017 at 6:43 AM UTC
Benny held
his conker
from old string
Derek aimed
at it with
his conker
then brought his
down with speed
whacked Benny's
conker in
a wide arc
twirling round
Benny's hand
has it spilt?
Derek asked
Benny looked
at his brown
conker no
it's ok
Benny said
my go now
Derek held
his conker
from new string
Benny aimed
and whacked it
into two
and it flew
to the ground
that was my
fiftenner
Derek said
he picked up
the pieces
and walked off
Benny watched
him go off
and put his
conker in
his pocket
and walked back
into school
as the bell
was ringing
for lessons
history
with Mr Finn
The Normans
William
the wild eyed
Conqueror
just like him.
Mar 13, 2017
Mar 13, 2017 at 4:53 AM UTC
Helen and Benny
walked over the bomb site
off of Meadow Row.
It was early
Saturday morning
and they were going
to the morning matinee
at the ABC cinema.
My doll Battered Betty's arm
has broken off,
she said.
How comes?
Benny said.
My brother swung it round
and it broke off,
she said.
Can't your dad mend it?
Benny said.
He said will look at it;
I hope he can;
Betty's my best doll ever
and I have had it since
I was little,
she said.
They came off
the bomb site
and stood on the kerb
watching traffic
going past.
Should have gone
to the crossing,
Helen said,
be quicker.
So they walked up
to the crossing,
and stood there,
and the traffic stopped
and they walked across
to the other side,
and walked past
the fish and chip shop.
I went there last night
with my old man,
Benny said,
after we'd been
to the cinema
to see a Western film.
You get out more
than I do,
Betty said,
I haven't been
to the cinema
except for matinees
for ages.
Maybe next time
I go with my old man
I can ask
if you can come,
Benny said.
O that would be good,
Benny,
if my parents
allow me to,
Helen said.
They got to the cinema
and there was a long queue
of kids,
so they joined it
and waited.
The traffic passed by,
and a dull greyness hung
in the morning sky.
Feb 7, 2017
Feb 7, 2017 at 2:53 AM UTC
Helen stared
at the playground:
what did Mr Finn mean
about the Plaque of London?
She asked me.
It was an outbreak
of the bubonic plague
between 1665-6,
I said.
What's bubonic?
she said.
An infection
I think,
I said,
Mr Finn said
it was spread
by fleas on rats.
She looked at me
how comes you
hear things he says
and I don't,
she said.
I love history
and listen more I guess,
I said.
She looked at her hands
through her
thick lens glasses:
I’m not clever,
she said,
history bores me.
Never mind,
I said,
you must be good
at something.
Don't think I am,
she said.
You're good
at needle work
with Mrs Murphy,
I said,
I saw the thing
you took home.
She was silent
for a few moment
Mum said it was good,
Helen said.
It was,
I said.
She smiled:
guess I am good
at something,
she said.
The bell rang
for the end
of morning break.
Right back to class,
I said,
geography now
with Mr Good.
She stopped smiling
and pouted.
We went back
into school.
I’ll never be clever,
she said,
always be a fool.
You're good
and pretty,
I said.
She smiled
going red.
Jan 6, 2017
Jan 6, 2017 at 3:00 PM UTC
And then went down for the bus
(while 'twas in motion)
as you'd seen your old man do
and sat at the side
as the clippie collected fares
as she went,
about 1955
year before Suez
and year after Elvis
recorded That's alright Mama
and the 7th year
of your outward voyage,
our life is a luminous halo
or so it seemed,
conscious from the beginning
unto the end or conscious
of the end of the beginning,
at the beginning
the end of life
or some such,
Mr Finn tall and thin
moustached talking
of kings and castles in class
dipping pen into the inkwell
to scribe what he'd scribed
on the blackboard,
Helen peering at you
through thick lens glasses
her brown hair
plaited in plaits
her grey pinafore
food stained,
Finn on about keeps
and drawbridges and moats
and you drew what he said
drew as your granddad
had shown you
draw from life
he had said
take from life
draw what you see,
the bus on its way
the clippie clipping tickets
a machine around her neck
or shoulder,
you thinking
I'll be one of those
when I get older.
Dec 20, 2016
Dec 20, 2016 at 11:21 AM UTC
You and Helen played Snap
on the grass in front of Banks
House, the cards landing on
the grass where you tossed
them in play. Snap! Helen
said, two of the baker, Benny.
You nodded and she took
the cards from the grass.
She had more cards than
you now, and she seemed
pleased, shuffling the cards
in her small 7 year old hands.
You shuffled yours in your
7 year old hands, your fingers
nimble. You gazed at her as
she sat there crossed legged,
her hair plaited into two plaits,
her thick lens glasses making
her eyes large. She began
and put down a card, you
followed her, then her again.
Over the way coal trucks
were being loaded with coal,
a few horse drawn wagons
stood there also, the horses
standing patiently, wearing
nose bags. I'm going to the
flicks this afternoon, you said,
you want to come? She stopped
and held the card in mid air.
I'll ask Mum if I can go, Helen
said, looking at you with her
large eyes, what is the film
about? You placed a card down.
Cowboy film, should be good,
you said. She looked at the cards
on the grass, then back at you:
I hope I can go, she said. Snap!
You said, seeing two cards the same,
distracted she looked at you
saying: you've won the game.
Dec 1, 2016
Dec 1, 2016 at 4:58 AM UTC
Helen wanted to go
to the fairground,
but her mother
only had a 1/-
so I gave her
some of the money
my parents gave me,
and we went
on to the fairground
which was on
the Meadow Row
bomb site.
It was busy
and noisy
with bright lights.
and she said:
what shall
we go on?
How about
the bumper cars?
I said
Will we be
all right
if with those
big boys get on?
They might
crash into us,
she said.
Then we'll crash
into them,
I said.
So she said ok
and we got in
one of the cars,
and I paid the youth
who came
and took the money.
Then we were off,
and I was driving
keeping an eye out
for anyone
coming our way,
and trying to avoid
crashing into anyone
if I could help it,
but it was nigh
impossible not to crash.
Two boys aimed for us
bumped into us
on purpose.
Helen looked shocked,
but I turned the wheel
and went after them
and followed them,
and just when
they thought they
were safe,
I bumped into them
from the rear
and sent them forward
with the bump.
Helen looked
apprehensive:
what if they come
after us again?
She said.
So what,
I said,
I am ready for them.
Then another car
bumped into us
by some man
and his daughter
and he gave me
a goofy smile,
so I smiled back.
Then we went
off again
trying to avoid
getting bashed,
but a car
from our left
came across
and the two boys
caught us from the side
and shook us up
then they were gone.
I was going
to go get them,
but the cars began
to slow down
and the ride
was over.
Helen sat there
gathering her thoughts,
and I watched
the two boys
get out and walk off.
You ok?
I said to Helen.
Yes,
she said,
that was good.
I was pleased,
but if the car
had gone on longer,
I'd have got
those two boys
if I could.
Oct 29, 2016
Oct 29, 2016 at 4:47 AM UTC
It was a cold morning
and I called in
at Helen's place
to walk to school
with her
but she wasn't ready
so her mum said
to stand by
the fire and wait
Helen was finishing off
her breakfast
we overslept
she said
and Dad had
to rush off
without breakfast
and I had
to help Mum
get the kids up
and I dressed
in the cold
and rushed
to get warm
but still I am late
don't worry
I said
it's only school
the warmth
from the fire
warmed me
and I stood listening
to the radio playing
some music
and Helen's
brother and sister
were sitting there
eating their breakfast slowly
get ready
come on now
get a long
Benny doesn't want
to be late for school
Helen's mum said
Helen finished
her breakfast
and went to get
her coat and hat
and I stood
rubbing my hands
in front of the fire
before venturing out
in the cold again
sorry about this Benny
her mum said
we overslept
not like us at all
but there you go
these things happen
and she went off
to the kitchen again
and Helen came
in her coat and hat
and her thick lens glasses
and off we went
her mum kissed
her cheek goodbye
and we went out
in the cold air again
and I shoved
my hands
in my trouser pockets
and we walked off
to school
but I could think
of a hundred
better things
than this to do
but we walked on
along Rockingham Street
in cold shoes and on cold feet.
Sep 23, 2016
Sep 23, 2016 at 3:35 AM UTC
Helen and I
were sitting on
the grass in front
of Banks House
it was a Sunday morning
bright and warm
she had her hair
in 2 plaits
and her thick lens glasses
enlarged her eyes
which were
peering at me
so he shot you?
she said
looking concerned
yes the creep shot me
in the back while
I wasn't looking
I said
so who
was it again?
she said
Pat Garrett
he's sheriff
or something
like that
I said
and you
were Billy the Kid?
she said
flicking one
of her plaits of hair
behind her shoulder
yes but I had
a good life while I did
I said
she nodded
I saw him in a film
at the flicks
I said
Robert Taylor
was him in it
my old man took me
she looked at the 6
shooter gun
in my holster
on the grass
how many guns
have you got?
she asked
I have 3
I said
and a rifle
sometimes I have
2 guns on me
in holster
sometime I have 1
why 2?
she said
so I can shoot 2
bad guys at once
or if I'm the baddie
then 2 marshals
she frowned
which do you
like best to be?
she said
I like playing Wyatt Earp
if I'm a good guy
or Billy the Kid
if I'm a bad guy
she passed me
a sherbet lemon sweet
from a white paper bag
and I ****** it
she talked of her doll
Battered Betty
who lost an arm
when her little brother
smashed her against
a wall but her dad
fixed it
and it has 2 arms
now again
I picked up
my 6 shooter
and took it out
of the holster
and began to polish it
she talked on
about her dolls' shoes
white ones but one
had gone missing
and she thought
her brother may
have stolen it
I ****** another
sherbet lemon
cleaning my gun
part of my Sunday
morning fun.
Aug 15, 2016
Aug 15, 2016 at 3:37 AM UTC
They stood inside
Baldwin's herbalist shop
looking around
at the various jars
and bottles
on the side
and shelves
going up high
Helen looked to see
if Benny's arm
had stopped
its imaginary bleeding
it had
so she removed
her girls' handkerchief
from his arm
it's stopped
she said
stopped bleeding
he looked
at his arm
where Jessie James
had shot him
in the gunfight
on Meadow Row
bomb site
so it has
he said
rubbing at
the pretend wound
how can I help you
youngsters?
the man said
at the counter
gazing at them
can we have
two glasses
of sarsaparilla
please
Helen said
to make some blood
as Benny here
was wounded
by Jessie James
in a gunfight off
Meadow Row
bomb site
or it could have been
Frank James
Benny said
I couldn't be sure
in the shoot out
the man nodded
and smiled
and went and got
two glasses
of sarsaparilla
and brought it to them
Benny paid the man
the coins from
his jeans' pocket
and they stood
by the window
and peered out
as they sipped the drinks
other people came in
and were served
some wanting other things
than sarsaparilla
what are you doing
afterwards?
Helen asked
might go to Jail Park
on the swings
he said
can I come too?
she said
of course
he said
if you want to
they sipped
their drinks
in silence
then she said
Betty's arm's broke
it came out
of the socket thingy
how'd that happen?
Benny said
she looked
at the other people
in the shop
my brother did it
swung Betty around
by her arm
and she hit a wall
and the arm
came out
she said
Benny looked at her
shall I try
to mend it?
he said
no Mum said
she'd do it
or get Dad
to do it
when he
comes home
from work
but she told
my brother off
for breaking
my doll's arm
Helen said seriously
Benny looked at her
standing there
in her thick lens spectacles
and her large eyes
gazing at him
and her white blouse
and red skirt
(slightly stained)
so they drank
their drinks
and left
but the other people
in the shop
talked together
and remained.
Jul 23, 2016
Jul 23, 2016 at 2:34 AM UTC
Helen climbed
the concrete stairs
to Benny's flat
where his mother answered
and Helen said
is Benny home?
no he's out Helen
his mother said
out where?
Helen said
he went out
with his six-shooter
and cowboy hat
so he's maybe
on a bomb site
try the one
up Meadow Row
he's often there
his mother said
Helen nodded
and said thank you
and walked down the stairs
and across the Square
and down the slope
across Rockingham Street
and up along Meadow Row
she'd not brought
her doll Battered Betty
as her brother
had torn off an arm in play
and it needed mending
when she came
to the greengrocer shop
on Arch Street
she walked along
to view the bomb site
and putting a hand
over her eyebrows
to block out the morning sun
she gazed at the huge bomb site
anxiously(she didn't like
bomb sites alone)
she saw him over
by the railway bridge
firing his six-shooter
at an imaginary enemy
she called out to him
and walked across
the rough ground
of the bomb site
towards him
he stopped firing
and put his six-shooter
away in an holster
with a twirl of fingers
been looking for you
she said
your mum said
you might be here
Benny pushed back
his cowboy hat
to the back of his head
his quiff of hair
standing up
had a gunfight planned here
so had to leave early
he said
gunfight
she said
with who?
she looked around
at invisible enemies
Frank and Jessie James
he said
and their gang of course
she looked in the direction
he pointed and nodded
need any help from me?
she said
looking at Benny
through her thick lens spectacles
no I shot them both
and the gang fled
he said
did you get shot?
she asked
only in the arm
he said
pointing at his left arm
she looked at his 7 year old arm
but didn't see
a wound or blood
but pretended
looks bad
she said
maybe I should put
an handkerchief around it
ok if you like
he said
she fiddled in her skirt pocket
and brought out
a small girl's handkerchief
and tied it around his arm
and tied a knot
is that better?
she said
yes it is
he said
didn't want to bleed to death
no
she said
and they walked off
across the bomb site
let's go to Baldwin's
the herbalist shop
and get some sarsaparilla
to make more blood
he said
and she looked at his arm
and saw imaginary blood all red.
Jun 29, 2016
Jun 29, 2016 at 1:57 AM UTC