FAR FROM THE TUCKSHOP QUEUE

us kids numbed & agog

who unzipped their coats 
to catch the blow & sail

of parkside autumn wind

are accidentally now adults

in a rush of penumbra

& the jumping blur of it

far from the tuckshop queue

DOOM-SCROLLED OUT OF THE SANDPIT

the small school children
answer 'present' truthfully

like no adult ever could

danger warnings sellotaped
on the roaring winter radiators


~


grown-ups 

doom-scrolled

themselves
out of the sandpit

the moment is code to them

reserved for musicians

& the waiting-room sick