ON AND AWAY 1955

A BOY AND GIRL IN LONDON IN 1955 AND A TRAMP

Helen and I cross
the bomb site
off Meadow Row

it is cold
wintry
a wind pushes itself
against us
then behind us

over the way
near the railway arch
a tramp stands
by a fire
his hands out stretched
over the flames

I guess he's cold
Helen says
ain't got no where
to keep warm
other than here
wonder where he sleeps?

I look over
at the tramp
he's in old clothes
and a cap
the other of rust

under the archway
I suppose
I say

must get cold
mustn't he
she says
and what's
he have to eat?

I don't know
I say
maybe he gets scraps
from bins
or behind shops
where they
throw out stuff

I guess
she says

we walk on by
she looks over
at the tramp again

why's he here?
why hasn't he
got a home?
she says

go ask him
I say

no Mum says
not to talk to tramps
she said they
may take you away

Helen looks away
from the tramp
and gazes at me

you won't ever
be a tramp will you?

I look over
at the tramp
who's rubbing
his hands together
over the flames
of the fire

no not me
I can't stand
the cold and wet

good
she says
I couldn't talk to you
if you were
Mum says not to

ok
I say

and we walk on
and away.