LIBERATING COAL

After school
about dusk
you and Helen
went down the back

 

of the coal wharf
and picked up
dropped pieces of coal
from the cobble

 

stone floor
or reached
just inside
the railed up fence

 

and picked out
what you could touch
(not over-much)
and put it

 

into an old sack
you'd brought
do your parents
know about this?

 

Helen said
hell no
you said
I just sneak it in

 

and drop it
into the coal bunker
in the kitchen
when no one's looking

 

while they're
in the other room
watching the TV
saves them money

 

you added
Helen nodded
what if you got caught?
who by?

 

well a Rozzer
or your parents
she said
looking concerned

 

the eyes behind
her glasses
looming large
just say I found it

 

and was taking it home
away from harm
you said
she frowned

 

what do mean?
I was joking Helen
I don't what I'd say
make it up

 

as I went along I guess
as usual
she nodded
her two plaits of hair

 

bobbing at the back
of her head
I’d wet myself
if a Rozzer

 

stopped me
she said
I’m like that
well don't worry

 

just leave it to me
to talk
act dumb
she smiled

 

I could give
my imbecile look
my dad said
I’m good at it

 

she said
after getting enough
in the sack
to be able to carry

 

you walked along
Meadow Row
the sack in your left hand
held tight

 

how was school today?
you asked
ok except
that Cogan boy

 

called me four eyes
and said I looked like
a dead fish
him

 

you said
he wears glasses himself
the stupid feck
and he looks

 

as if someone as stopped
an operation
on his features
half way through

 

Helen laughed
did you swear?
she said
don't think so

 

you said
don't pay no attention
to Cogan
you look pretty

 

she smiled
and took
your right hand
and held it

 

as you walked across
Rockingham Street
she looking out
for any Rozzers

 

and you for other kids
who may see her
holding your hand
a kid's got not

 

to seem a cissy
you understand?

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