Rather Have Them In My Life Poem by Louise Tredoux

Went with Rudi to the ironmonger’s,
big men embodying dreams in iron
curls, iron roses, iron stems, bent
to form the most wonderful lines,
to think that iron can be so delicate

Went with Juliette to look at mate-
rials, embroidery and cotton reels
in amazing colours, special powers
of overlocking machines; asked them
to accompany me to the library

Rudi busy with iron, Juliette seated at
her machine - I went alone in a huff,
I don’t need their company to enjoy
books - it would have been a nice
gesture - but rather have them

In my life so they can make me feel
imposed upon - than being
totally alone!