A WORLD AWAY

Red and blue plastic ribbons
Falter in the slight breeze,
Glimpses of over-stacked tins,
Brown cardboard boxes,
Packed high with rice and couscous

The throat clenching aroma of curry,
The eye confused by alien vegetables with spider's legs roots
Spice, hot sauces, cat food and Baked Beans.

A shy nod of a dark head,
A quick glance,
Revealing learnt patience
In an impoverished world of prejudice.

Money placed on a neon sweet stuffed counter,
Warm smiles and a quiet transaction,
As the red and blue plastic ribbons
Whisper in the breeze...

by

Fiona Dunn (copyright)

"The squat pen rests" (Heaney)

Hi! I'm a Scot living in England with my musician/publisher husband and three grown up kids. I've taught English and Drama all my working life. I've had some great times but, this Summer I'm quitting teaching for good.

I'm setting out on another journey of life discovery so - not quite sure what I'll be doing 'to bring home the bacon' but I'm definitely going to write more poetry.

As Heaney (one of my favourite poets) says,

"Between my finger and my thumb
The squat pen rests.
I'll dig with it."