THE MILK ADVENTURE.
On my way
to the shop
across the road
down the concrete stairs
of the flats
I saw Ingrid
sitting on a step
a floor down
from mine
what you
doing here?
I asked
I dropped
a pink of milk
on the way back
from the shop
and now
my dad'll kill me
I daren't go home
I looked at her
sitting there
old grey dress
matty hair
well you can't
sit here all day
your mum
will wonder
where you are
she looked at me
wide eyed
I know
but I can't
go home
until he's gone
to work or I’m for it
how long ago
did you drop it?
15 minutes or so
down by the slope
I thought
of the broken glass
and messy milk
wait here
I’ll talk
with my mum
so I went back
upstairs to our flat
and spoke to Mum
and she gave me
an extra bit of money
to get another
bottle of milk
so I went down
the stairs
and said
come on
let's get
another bottle
how?
she asked
my mum
gave me
some money
to get another
but be careful
this time
she smiled
her goofy smile
and we went down
the stairs and out
through the Square
and down the slope
to the shop
passed
the broken bottle
and spilt milk
and the morning sun
was coming over
the factory
beside the fresh fish shop
and we got
my mother's shopping
and another pint
and never spilt a drop.
