Friends
The white painted beams,
the rafters in notched pine,
the plain walls and parquet
floor catching window light,
the square table with books,
paper notices and a bowl
of small flowers off-centre.
It was a lot to take in.
But as you sat there with them
the prospect of an hour’s silence
didn’t faze you. You let the air
settle round you, breathed in
its quiet, and thoughts came so
thick and fast all else fell away,
even the ringing in your ear.
And you wanted to thank
the beams, walls and badger-hair
tiles, the water jug and bowl
of living flowers on the table.
You wanted to thank them all.
Gull and her friends playing hide and seek (above) is a picture game for children who will find different animals hidden in the water, rocks etc.
Sea Games
When sea comes in
rock pools change
from big-eared elephants
to low slung crocs,
dolphins and crabs,
till they're all gone.
When sea goes out
pools change back
to crabs, dolphins,
slimy-eyed crocs
and elephants with long
bendy trunks. 'Da'cu',
says a little girl.
'the tide's turning'.
