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.