Christine Southam
Cross Flats Dragon
Down life’s slide I sped
Aided by a well planted knee
From the kid behind.
From that candle waxed monster
Slumbering in smoky mill air.
It threatened while challenging us all.
You could shin up
Paint flaked sides
Queue in nervous groups
Packed tightly on an ill
Protected launch pad,
Contemplating the latest craze;
Feet in air on back
Head first on stomach,
Still queasy after cheap pop.
Holding together, feet under armpits,
A badly coupled train
Involving much synchronized squealing.
Solo spectaculars on friction free rags.
My great drama, dragon inflicted,
A many hued black eye
After impacting on elbow
Of stick whittling youth.
Staggering all round the block home,
Rather than via hole in back-garden hedge.
Strange what martyred paths
An injured child takes.
Page(s) 98
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