INGRID AND THE GO-CART.
Two sets of pram wheels
a plank(some kid's dad
brought that)
a wooden cross beam
a nut and bolt
to hold
the cross beam
in place
a piece of rope
(Ingrid gave that
an old skipping rope)
an orange box
and the go-cart
was ready
by the bike shed
and Jimmy said
I best drive it first
as I'm the eldest
ok
you said
Ingrid said nothing
she looked at Jimmy
hands in her
cardigan pockets
biting her lip
Ingrid supplied the rope
you said
she deserves
a ride too
sure sure
Jimmy said
climbing
into the orange box
and taking up the ropes
into his hands
right you push
he said
I brought
my mum's prop stick
Ingrid said
you can push with that
she pointed
to a long pole
by the shed door
yes ok
Jimmy said
so you took up
the pole and placed it
in the back
of the plank
and began to push it
through the Square
Ingrid stood watching
as you pushed
the go-cart
at running speed
on on
Jimmy said
and he steered
the go-cart
around the Square
as you ran faster
then let go
and the go-cart
went at its own volition
and you walked
and stood by Ingrid
will he let me ride it?
she asked
he will
you said
or I'll not
push him again
you watched
as the go-cart
slowed down
and Jimmy drove it up
to the bike shed
where it came
to a stop
why'd you stop pushing?
he asked
couldn't push any faster
you said
it needs constant pushing
he said
I'm not a machine
you said
he sat looking
at Ingrid
she can push
he said
she's a girl
you said
I can push
she said
and she took the pole
and shoved it
at the back
of the plank
and began to push it
off as best she could
with Jimmy steering
along by the sheds
and off once more
into the Square
and you watched
her push
her hands tight
around the pole
her legs running
as fast as she could
and there
as she ran
and her skirt rose
you saw red marks
on her thigh
her old's man work
you said with a sigh
then it was gone
as she ran down
the slope
and out of sight
with the sound of Jimmy
cheering her on.
