Open the Stays and Shutters

 East Kent, 27 January 2021

Open the stays and shutters

Let in the bright new day

Sunlight splashing over us

Benedicite.

I Live in a Town

East Kent, 10 January 2021

I live in a town

where kids ride on handlebars

let off rockets and firecrackers

to celebrate Guy Fawkes.

I live in a town

where kids hang out in streets

light fires at night on the beach

cigarette tips like fireflies.

I live in a town

where kids get dragged to church

with grannies on pews they perch

bubbling with innocent chatter. 

I live in a town

where kids pair off walking home

soon will have kids of their own

pageant of bright colours.

I live in a town

where kids tie up old trainer laces

hoik them skyward with lit up faces

to hang over telegraph wires.

I live in a town

where kids on skateboards play

rough old ground: corps de ballet

each pas seul, taken in turns.

I live in a town

where kids are still happy

a lot like like we used to be

when it was our turn.

I live in a town

where kids ride on handlebars

let off rockets and firecrackers

to celebrate Guy Fawkes.