FOUR LOVE AFFAIRS
The French health food shop
Near Vasilyastrovskaya metro,
With a tiny patio garden bench -
Fell in love there with the language of the French.
Closed now for property development.
Ironbridge Folk Club,
In the shadow of enormous cooling towers
Of the power station majestic -
Fell in love there with folk music.
Demolished now for road widening.
Under-a-Fiver second-hand bookshop
In Henry Street, Dublin,
Found many bargains, many gems of writing -
Fell in love there with literature so exciting.
Redeveloped now as a mall.
The Chippy take-out, Bensham Road, Gateshead,
Fragrant in smells of vinegar, and delightful
On cold nights with its steamy swirl -
Fell in love there with my first girl.
Slum clearance has now razed it.
>This is just a quick one, the local radio is asking what would you do with a child has tantrums when you're out shopping.
Toddler tantrums.
What would you do?
If someone complained of your child to you.
Just because you're doing a food shop.
And your floor hugging, screaming child will not stop.
Two things spring swiftly to my mind. I'll tell you if you can spare the time
1.
First I would just look amazed.
And join my child, on the floor.
Screem a bit, wave my feet in the air.
That should make them complainants stare.
2.
The other thing I might just do.
If I had enough of it. Like you.
I put a pound/dollar in compliant's hand.
Then say keep him/her for half an hour.
Quickly get on with my food shop.
But collect my kid
I would not.
I'm joking really, I would only do 1. Honest I would. (The mad author)<
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