#1956
I must have been
eight or nine
and my old man said
wait out here
I won't be long
and he went up the steps
to the hospital.
I waited
in the evening air
and watched the night sky
stars and moon
wondering how far away
they were and how bright
the moon was.
Traffic passed
on the road
headlights
and street lights.
I waited
sensing the chill
and wondered
how mother was
and when she'd
be home again.
A man came out
and lit up a cigarette
and stared at the sky
exhaling clouds of smoke
which seemed to mingle
with the stars and moon.
He looked over at me
then away
looking at
the passing traffic
a long time
then he went inside
and the smoke lingered
and drifted away.
My old man came out
his collar up
but how mother was
he didn't say.
May 22, 2018
May 22, 2018 at 4:13 PM UTC
She went with me to pick
chickweed from the bomb site
off of the Meadow Row
for the budgerigar
at home in the birdcage.
"How much you need Benny?"
she asked me kneeling down
on the bombed out wreckage.
"A few bunches will do it."
We gathered up bunches
in our eight year old hands
and poked them in a bag.
We looked towards the road
busy traffic passed by.
People walked the pavement
in determined fashion
each with destinations
that only they knew of
to or from place else.
"Can we go to the park?"
She asked."Can if you like"
I replied. We walked off
down Meadow Row and up
the stairway to the flat.
We gave the bird the ****
then went off to the park.
The whole place was crowded
with other kids like us
kids from the rough places
with grazed knees and scratched hands
and pale ***** faces.
Apr 15, 2018
Apr 15, 2018 at 9:33 AM UTC
Steam rushes up
from the steam train
at the station.
It twirls up and along
the roof like
a released demon.
You watch it with
your young boy's eyes.
People rush past
to get on the train.
You sit watching
wondering where
they are destined.
You smell it.
The train smell.
The sounds of steam
and power.
Like a dragon.
Porters walk past
with wagons of luggage.
You dream of being
an engine driver.
To the seaside.
That time with your
grandparents
a year back.
Big steam train
dark black.
Mar 31, 2018
Mar 31, 2018 at 5:05 AM UTC
Your gran was making sandwiches
for our small picnic in the park.
It had been your idea,
although we wanted to
to go swimming,
but your gran said she didn't like
you going to the swimming pool
with those women
wearing those skimpy
swimming costumes.
Once she'd done
the sandwiches
we set off for the park.
Gran said it is always best
to tell truth, Benny,
you said,
lies are complicated things
needing a good memory
and poor soul.
I always try to tell the truth,
I said,
but now and then
a lie creeps out
and before you know it
it has grown
like a big snake.
We went down
the subway talking,
our voices echoing
along the walls.
You were wearing
that red beret on top
of your long fair hair.
We walked along
to the park.
Why do people lie?
you said.
I guess it seems
to get them
out of trouble
or get them things,
I said.
But to lie is bad,
you said.
We entered the park
and found an area of grass
in the sun and sat down.
I had two bottles of pop
and you had the sandwiches.
We began to eat
and sip the pop.
You talked about school
and what Mr Finn had said
about the Norman kings.
I watched two dogs
over way
doing kind of
weird things.
Mar 8, 2018
Mar 8, 2018 at 12:18 PM UTC
She wore a red beret
on top of her blonde
head of hair. She had
pale features and pale
blue eyes. God must
have had a good day
when he created her.
We walked to school,
going under the railway
bridge and up behind
the large cinema, and
then down the subway.
Gran has bought me a
book, she said. What book?
I said. What Katy Did, she
said. What did she do?
I said. She related to me
as far as she had read.
It was not my kind of book,
but she seemed to think
it great. We walked along
St George's Road, past the
clothing store my old man
got his suits(he bought me
a black blazer there once).
Have you any books? she
asked. A few, I said. What
are they? she asked. I told
her the titles of the books.
But my favourite is about
Robin Hood, I said. I told
her the story. She listened
without interrupting(unusual)
until we got to school. We
parted at the gates( couldn't
let other boys see me with
a girl or they'd think I had
gone ***** I met Denis in
the playground. We swapped
cards. He gave me a strip
of gum and we talked about
what his old man did in the
War in someplace called Sicily.
One of us past wind and I knew
it wasn't me.
Feb 24, 2018
Feb 24, 2018 at 2:32 AM UTC
Benedict picked small stones
from the bombsite; Janice
watched him standing just
to one side.
Wonder how he knows
which stone is right.
She gazed at his quiff of hair;
at his coloured patterned jumper;
his blue jeans.
How do you know which stone
fits your catapult?she asked.
He let a stone bump up and down
in his palm. I just know, he said.
He studied her standing
in her pink cardigan
and white dress;
a red beret on her head.
Want a go
on my catapult?
he said.
She wasn't sure.
It looked dangerous.
He took his catapult
from his back pocket
and showed her how
it went and hit
a tin can off the wall.
Janice watched
the tin can fall.
Sep 24, 2017
Sep 24, 2017 at 5:20 PM UTC
I watched as the canary
walked along Janice's
small finger, her grandmother
was in the kitchen
getting tea and cake.
Does it speak
any new words?
I said.
It doesn't say the words
you tried to teach it,
Janice said, which nearly
got me into trouble.
So what does it say?
I asked.
Pretty girl, it says,
Janice said.
The bird walked back
along her finger.
I gazed at Janice's hair,
long and neatly brushed
over her shoulders;
the red beret sat
on the side of her head.
Her gran came in
with teapot and cups
and saucers on a tray.
Don't let that bird fly
out the window, Gran said,
put it back in its cage.
Janice put the bird back
in the cage and shut the door.
The bird looked peeved
being back inside
and nibbled wildly at the bars.
Her gran went out
to fetch the cake.
If I'd been alone
I'd have help the bird
make a break.
Sep 4, 2017
Sep 4, 2017 at 12:25 PM UTC
Benny took
his bow and arrows
onto the grass behind
Arrol House.
Jim had a crossbow
with three arrows.
On the area
away from them
Jim had set up a target.
Mine is more accurate
he said
because I can view
along the line
of the crossbow
you have to view
along by where your hand
holds the bow.
Jim went first
and hit the target spot on.
Your turn now
he said.
Benny aimed
at the target
and fired his arrow
but missed the target
it fell on the grass behind.
Told you
he said
try again.
Jim went first
and fired
and hit
the target again.
Benny aimed
at the target
and hit it
and the arrow stuck
on the target.
That's good
Jim said.
They played around
with the arrows and targets
for quite some time
then his mother
said it was time for dinner
and he went in.
Benny went back
to his parents' flat
and put his bow
and arrows away
and had lunch.
He read in
a history book
that at the battle of Agincourt
an archer could fire
12 arrows in a minute
and an arrow
could wound someone
at 250 yards
but killed them
at a 100 yards
and in the battle
a 1,000 arrows
were fired every second.
I must tell Jim that
Benny mused
my arrows hadn't gone
that far maybe
if I took the rubber plunger
off the end
it would go
much farther
but it might be dangerous
he thought
and get in trouble
if I got caught.
Aug 8, 2017
Aug 8, 2017 at 3:32 AM UTC
The ice-cream van
drew up
in the Square.
Kids stood
in a queue
to buy an
ice cream or lolly
depending
how much money
they had as to what
they bought.
Once the kids
or adult
had gone
he pulled down
the window
got in front
and started up
the van.
It was then
that us kids
held on
at the sides
out of sight
and held on
as long as
we could
before he
went too fast
or too far
then jump off
at the last minute
on to the tarmac
travelling along
trying to stand up
and not fall down.
Why do you do it?
Janice said
you might
hurt yourself.
Some kids
fell over
I managed
to stand
on my feet.
It's a bit of fun
I said.
But you might
have fallen
underneath
she said.
No way
he's going away
from us
when we jump off
I said
want a cool cola
from the 1d shop?
Ok
she said.
So we walked on
up through the Square
and across
Rockingham Street
and along
to the 1d shop.
It was hot work
hanging on
to the side
of the van
of the ice cream man.
Jul 18, 2017
Jul 18, 2017 at 11:12 AM UTC
Janice said
the man along
the balcony
from her gran's flat
had cut his throat
and the ambulance men
came and wrapped him
in bandages
and took him away
on a stretcher.
She said
it was horrible
blood soaking through
the bandages
his mother
walking beside
the stretcher
bemoaning him.
We were sitting
on the grass
in front
of Banks House.
I was cleaning
my silver looking
toy 6 shooter
with a handkerchief
from my blue jeans' pocket.
Why'd he cut
his throat?
I said.
Janice said
she didn't know
but that his mother
was moaning at him
as the ambulance men
were taking him off.
Some guy
on our balcony
did that a while ago
I said
think he was in debt
with a bookies runner.
A bookies runner?
she said
what's that?
He puts bets
on for you
I said
so my old man says.
She looked at me
it looked horrible
all that blood.
Guess it did
the guy on our balcony
had a scar after
made him look
like Al Capone
I said
aiming my gun
at the sky
at a flying pigeon
and going
KAPOW.
Who is Al Capone?
she said
does he live
on your balcony?
I smiled
no he moved out
a while ago
I said
not mentioning
he was a gangster
in the USA
and was dead.
Jun 29, 2017
Jun 29, 2017 at 9:24 AM UTC
Janice's gran said
don't let the canary
fly out the window.
I won't
Janice said.
Gran made sure
all windows and doors
were shut.
Ok you can let
the bird out now
her gran said.
I stood watching
as Janice opened
the birdcage
put her hand in
the yellow canary
jumped onto her
small finger.
She brought
the bird out
on her finger
we watched as it
fluttered its wings
and chirped loudly.
Janice lifted
her finger
level with her eyes
and spoke to it.
I said nothing
but stood there
watching.
Her gran had only
let me in
if I promised not
to teach the bird
bad language
I promised.
Who's a pretty boy then
Janice said.
The bird held its head
to one side
chirped
but said no words.
He spoke that time
when I was alone with him
and told him
a few words
and he said them
almost straight away.
I wondered if
he remembered me
and would
repeat them today.
May 14, 2017
May 14, 2017 at 3:32 AM UTC
Some kid in class
said his big brother
(in the army)
was going to
a war zone.
I listened
like the others
imagining
the ra-tat-tat
of machine-guns
or snipers on rooftops
or big tanks forcing
their way
through buildings.
The kid said his parents
were worried
and his mother cried.
Where is
the war zone?
a boy said
(nosey ****
I sat at the desk
just behind
the kid's sticking
out ears reddening
with attention.
Brother said
he can't say
the kid said.
The collar of his
white shirt
was frayed
and more grey
and white.
The girls in class
stared at him
none wishing
to mother him
or show concern.
Mr Finn
entered the class
all stood up
and uttered
a welcome.
Sit down
the teacher said.
I wondered
if it came to it
if the kid's big brother
would make it through
or be shot dead
through the head.
May 13, 2017
May 13, 2017 at 10:54 AM UTC
The yellow canary
sings in it's cage.
Gran sits sleeping
in her armchair
snoring.
I am by the window
looking out at the rain
raindrops sliding
down the glass
like tears.
I wanted to go
with Benny
but then it
started raining
and Gran said no
to stay in the dry.
I look out
at the block of flats
opposite where
Benny lives
with his parents
and brother and sister.
Bath Terrace is below
and across the way
is the coal wharf
where I can see
the coal men
coming and going
some drawn in
horse drawn wagons.
Benny said he would
show me his
favourite bomb site.
It used to be
a butcher's shop
but was bombed
in the War and
only the ruins
are there now
boarded up
but he said
there is a way in.
Best not tell Gran
or she'll not
let me go.
I hope it stops
raining soon.
My doll sits
on the settee
staring into space
hands holding out
as if she wanted
to be picked up.
Maybe she wants feeding
or her ***** changed.
The rain drops hit
the windowpane.
I hope it stops
and never rains again.
Apr 30, 2017
Apr 30, 2017 at 3:36 AM UTC
I met Janice
by the gates
of Jail Park
off Bath Terrace
as it was near
to the flat
where she lived
with her gran
and her gran had said
it looked like rain.
The park was packed
with kids
but we managed
to get a ride
on the see-saw
going up and down
using her legs
as pumps.
Gran smacked me
last night
Janice said.
What for?
I asked.
Well she asked me
what I had been doing
and I told her
I had been using
your catapult
and that was it
Janice said.
Why did you
tell her?
I asked.
I always
tell Gran
the truth Benny
Janice replied.
Always?
I said.
She nodded
of course
it says in the Bible
to always
tell the truth.
Once the swings
were free
we went over
and took
a swing each
and pushed off
racing each other
into the air.
I mused on what
Janice had said
as she rode high
beside me.
I told the truth
when it was safe
to do so
but if in doubt
I thought
leave it out.
Apr 9, 2017
Apr 9, 2017 at 3:41 AM UTC
A fight had broken out
between two boys
in the playground.
A crowd
had surrounded it
and a chant of
fight fight fight
went up
from the other boys.
A few punches
were thrown
but it consisted
mainly of pushing
and shoving
and wild swings
that went no where.
I stood in the crowd
watching seeing
who would win
or throw a decisive punch
but neither did.
Punches landed
on arms or chests
and be absorbed.
None of the girls came
and watched
they carried on
with their games
of skip rope
or hop skip and jump.
My mother had said
if any one hits you
hit them back
if you can't punch
then kick
if you can't kick
bite.
But as I wasn't involved
I just watched.
My money was on
the tall kid
the tubby kid
was slow
and missed more often
than he hit.
Then the teacher came
and broke up the fight
with words of
move away
move away
and stop the fighting.
The two boys were
taken off to
the head teacher's office
and the crowd dispersed
and went about
its mid morning
business of cards
or games of war
with imaginary guns
or swords.
I played cards
with Jupp
head down
not looking around
or up.
Apr 8, 2017
Apr 8, 2017 at 4:35 AM UTC
Janice held
Benny's catapult
in her small hand
and taking a small stone
from Benny's held out palm.
She fitted it in the pouch
and taking the pouch
between her fingers
she pulled it back
towards her chest
and closing an eye.
Where shall I aim it?
she said.
Aim at the tins
I have put on the wall
of that bombed out house
Benny said.
She looked at the tins
and aimed.
I can't see
the catapult end
she said.
You have the wrong
eye closed
Benny said.
She closed
the other eye
o I see it now
which tin?
Any tin
he said.
She pulled
the pouch back
as far she she could
and then released it.
The stone whizzed
past the tins and hit
the wall behind
with a clatter.
I missed
she said.
You did
he said.
Shall I try again?
She said.
He handed her
another stone
and she put it
in the pouch
and pulled back
and aimed
then released it.
It hit a tin side on
and sent it spinning
out of sight.
I did it
she said.
You did
he said.
She jumped
up and down excitedly
and handed Benny
back his catapult.
He smiled
and went
and got his stones
over the low wall
finding the tin.
He mused on Janice
and what her gran
would say
if she knew
the catapult being
(as far as she
was concerned)
the big sin.
Mar 16, 2017
Mar 16, 2017 at 2:25 PM UTC
Our canary died
Janice said
as she and Benny
walked along
Bath Terrace.
How did it die?
Benny said.
I don't know
Janice said
Gran found it
at the bottom
of its cage
this morning.
What did you do
with it?
Benny asked.
Gran put it
in a paper bag
and dropped it
in the refuse chute
of the flats
Janice said.
Shame
Benny said
I used to like
talking to your bird.
I know you did
but you taught it
to say bad words
Janice said.
They came to the junction
of Rockingham Street
and walked by
the coal wharf
on their left.
Will you get
another bird?
Benny asked.
Don't know
depends on what
Gran wants to do
or whether she'll
just sell the cage
Janice said.
They walked along
the narrow road
behind the cinema
and Benny stopped
by the bomb site
and picked up
small stones
for his catapult
and put them
in the pocket
of his blue jeans.
Doesn't your mother
mind you having a catapult?
Janice said.
No as long
as I am careful
with it
Benny said
I only hit tin cans
with it not birds
or windows.
Can I have a go
some day only don't
tell Gran she
doesn't approve
Janice said.
I won't
Benny said.
They walked on
into the New Kent Road
and on to Bedlam Park
to go to the war
museum there.
The sky
was a dull grey
and the smell of rain
in the air.
Mar 14, 2017
Mar 14, 2017 at 4:24 AM UTC
Janice is in the playground
playing skip rope
with two other girls.
I'm playing marbles
with Dennis and Dave
against the playground wall.
I have put
my favourite marble
out there
hoping to win the lot.
Dave crouches low
and flicks his blue marble
it hits Dennis's pink marble.
Dennis looks over
at the girls skipping
your turn Den
Dave says
standing up.
Dennis crouches down
and continues the game
his marble misses
and hits the wall
he stands up
looks at the girls again.
You can see their knickers
when they skip
he says.
Who cares
Dave says
crouching down
intent on the game.
I watch the game
hoping my marbles
don't get lost
especially the blue one
I think as lucky.
Dennis looks back
at the game.
The girls skip on
intent on their game.
I bend down
and aim and miss
and curse
and the game
is won and lost
to my and Dennis's cost.
Feb 8, 2017
Feb 8, 2017 at 3:25 AM UTC
I saw Janice
sitting at the front
of class
beside another girl.
I was at the back
of class
with Cardamom.
Janice had her fair hair
tied with a red ribbon
at the back.
Cardamom smelt
of the unwashed.
Mr Finn talked
of Saxons and Angles
and raids and pillaging.
I watched as Mr Finn
chalked on the black board,
his fingers holding
the chalk tight.
Guess what I saw?
Cardamom said quietly,
leaning his head
towards me.
No what?
I said.
Two kids kissing
in the bog,
he said.
I liked Janice's fair hair
tied with the red ribbon.
Cardamom talked on
about who they were:
fecking kissing,
he said,
two boys.
I nodded,
but said nothing.
I watched Mr Finn's chalk
bring a Saxon to life.
Then wondered
if it was drawn
from memory
or from his head,
from life maybe
his sour-faced wife.
Jan 8, 2017
Jan 8, 2017 at 9:12 AM UTC
You watched Benny
twirl his 6 shooter
around his 8 year old
finger, then cleverly
put it back in the holster
on the right hand side
of his jeans;his cowboy
hat was on string about
his neck, the hat at
the back. He saw you
going towards him.
Hi Janice, did you
see that? See me
twirl the gun? You
nodded: Yes that was
good; where did
you learn to do that?
Saw it at the flicks,
he said, this cowboy
did it and I copied him,
and practised. You
walked up to him
and saw his hazel eyes
and brown hair with
the curl at the front.
Want to have ago?
He said. Ok, you said.
He gave you the gun
out of the holster, and
you put it onto your 6
year old finger awkwardly,
and tried to twirl it,
but it fell from your
finger and flew off,
but Benny caught it
and handed it back
to you. Try again, he
said. So you did, but
slower and after a
number of tries, you
finally got it to twirl
a couple of times.
See you did it, he said
smiling. Not so good
as you though, you said,
handing him the gun.
Practise is how, he said,
you got a gun at home
you can practise with?
No, you said, I'm a girl;
anyway Gran wouldn't
like me to have a gun at
home. It's only a toy gun,
it's not real, he said, but
he never told you that the
night before he shot Billy
the Kid and Wyatt Earp dead.
Dec 1, 2016
Dec 1, 2016 at 1:27 PM UTC
Old Mrs Murphy
made sure we were all
sitting quietly
in the classroom
and she began talking
about codes and puzzles
I sat watching
her plump frame
move bit by bit
by the blackboard
a long ruler
in her hand
pointing at the board
and occasionally
if someone
wasn't listening
at the pupil
she wore glasses
and her grey hair
was curly and permed
as I looked
away from her
I saw Janice
sitting near the front
(a place I tried
to avoid)
gazing at the teacher
I liked her
we were friends
and her grandmother
with whom she lived
(I had no idea
what happened
to her parents)
allowed her out with me
because she said
I was trustworthy
(to a degree)
Janice wore
a grey skirt
and red cardigan
and her hair
was neatly brushed
and tied
with a red ribbon
Benny are you listening
to what I am saying?
Mrs Murphy said
I looked back
at the teacher
and nodded
yes Miss
I said
looking at the board
behind her
where 2 lines of letters
were scribed
what have I
been talking about?
She asked
eyeing me severely
a code?
I said
and what is the code?
She asked
the class was silent
all eyes on me
I stared at the board
the top letters
are substituted
by the lower letters
to make
a coded message
I said
she raised
her eyebrows
so you have
been listening
good
she said
and turned back
to the class
Janice was looking at me
her blue eyes sparkling
I smiled
and she smiled
then turned back
to the teacher
I was glad
I remembered
the code
from the Eagle comic
I read
it saved my skin
or hand
from a smack
that was why
I liked it best
at the back.
Oct 30, 2016
Oct 30, 2016 at 4:50 AM UTC
In class Mr Finn
talks about fractions
and denominators
and other stuff
I don't care to know
I see Janice
sitting at her desk
her fair hair
ribboned
and her small hand
and fingers
writing down
what he is saying
I scribble nothing
my page has a few
fractions and numbers
and my pen
drips blue ink
on the page
as I look at her
we went to the bomb site
off Meadow Row
last evening
(not too late
or her gran
will slap her one)
and we talked of Jesus
(or she was)
and how He died
and why none
of the disciples
came to his aid
Mr Finn says
Benny are you
listening to what
I am saying
about fractions?
Yes Sir
I reply
although I haven't
I have not a clue
what did I say
about this fraction?
He points
to the blackboard
I stare at the board
I missed that bit
I say
he sighs and repeats
(for me I guess)
what he has just said
Janice looks at me
she has lovely blue eyes
I smile
she frowns
Mr Finn talks
of improper fractions
and stuff
I study what
he's written
and think
school work
is tough.
Sep 23, 2016
Sep 23, 2016 at 2:09 PM UTC
From Banks House
balcony
I finish
the paper
aeroplane
Janice stands
next to me
will it fly?
She asks me
course it will
from up here
I tell her
it's a jet
sort of plane
I hold it
between my
thin fingers
and aim out
at the sky
we watch it
zoom outwards
then circle
then zigzag
downwards in
quick flight
it misses
the milkman
as he sits
on his horse
drawn wagon
full of milk
then skims down
to the ground
and crashes
didn't fly
very good
Janice says
looking down
from the brick
balcony
I guess not
top heavy
I tell her
it would have
made a good
paper hat
she replies
getting down
from the wall
of the brick
balcony
so we go
to get it
down the stairs
try again
Benny it
might fly well
if we try
once again
but as we
descend it
gets soaked by
falling rain.
Aug 16, 2016
Aug 16, 2016 at 2:26 AM UTC
Janice folds
the paper
as Benny
had shown her
it becomes
a small boat
she could float
in the bath
in the flat
if her gran
allows her
to float it
in water
for bathing
she holds it
between thumb
and fingers
put that down
her gran says
get undressed
for your bath
the water
is just right
(she had boiled
the water
in the old
steel copper)
Janice puts
the paper
made-up boat
on the side
of the bath
and watches
as she slow
undresses
come along
her gran says
don't day dream
or I'll slap
your backside
8 years old
or older
Janice takes
off clothes
and gets in
the water
can I float
my paper
made-up boat
in the bath
Janice says
if you must
her gran says
steely eyed
that Benny's
contraption
I suppose
he showed me
Janice says
how to make
the small boat
as they both
(Janice and Gran)
watch it float.
Jul 24, 2016
Jul 24, 2016 at 1:39 AM UTC
Janice held the carrier bag
with sandwiches
and two bottles of pop
and packets of crisps
and walked with me
up Meadow Row
she was wearing
a red flowered dress
and white ankle socks
and brown shoes
I was in blue jeans
and a white shirt
where are we going?
she said
thought we'd go
to Bedlam Park
and have a picnic
I said
as the day's dry
and warm
and we're off
from school
I told Gran
I was going out
but didn't say where
because I didn't
know where
Janice said
didn't mind you
going out with me then?
I said
no she don't mind
me going out with you
but she did say
no mischief
Janice said
we crossed the bomb site
by Arch Street
and she talked of her
gran's sister and her husband
and I looked
at the traffic passing
on the New Kent Road
we walked on
and went by
the Trocadero cinema
where my old man
took me often to see
cowboy or war films
we went down
the subway and along
I began to sing
a cowboy song
and she said not to
but I did
and she blushed
and pretended not
to be with me
once out the other end
we walked along
St George's Road
I told her some
old dear near us
had given us her budgerigar
called Billy
as she couldn't
cope anymore
so now we've got it
I said
it don't talk though
so I can't teach
it rude words
just as well
Janice said
after you taught our canary
to say naughty words
I laughed
not funny Benny
Gran thought I
taught him
and nearly got
a smacking
sorry about that
I said
but they were
only words
rude words
Janice said
and Gran wasn't pleased
we walked along
past our school
and into Bedlam Park
where we found
a spot of clean grass
and sat and opened the bag
and began to
eat and drink our wares
and talked
and I ignored
the other boys'
stares.
Jun 30, 2016
Jun 30, 2016 at 2:56 AM UTC