Hannah said to meet her
at her flat
so I went across the Square
to where her flat was
and knocked at the door
Mrs Scot stood there
Hannah is it?
I nodded
Hannah's it at th' shaps
she said
o right can I come in
and wait?
I said
she stared at me
for a few seconds
as if I'd made
an indecent proposal
ah guess ye can
she said
and she stood back
to let me pass
I went to the passageway
and it smelt of yesterdays
dinner and boiling washing
sit doon in th' livin' room
she said
I sat down
looking around the room
and she went off to the kitchen
the radio was on low
playing Victor Sylvester music
there were black and white photos
on the sideboard
and a big photo on the wall
of a wedding
then the front door opened
and Hannah came in
I'm back
got your shopping
and she walked past
the living room door
o you're here already Benny
she said to me
good just putting this lot away
and we can be off
aff whaur?
her mother said
Benny's showing me
his new school
Hannah said
what's sae special abit 'at?
she said
coming out of the kitchen
like a warrior for battle
his new school in September
I want to see it
Hannah said
her mother pulled a face
and stared at me
is it a wee jimmies skale?
yes Mum a boy's school
Hannah said
I felt out of place
and stared at the wallpaper
right we are off now Mum
see you later
Hannah said
and we went out the door
and into the Square
don't mind her
Hannah said
she's always that way
and I mused
good start to a new day
so we walked off
to where my new school was
about a good mile away
glad to be on our way.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem