The Thief Poem by Maureen Pickford

Chatter, chatter
Natter, natter.
Our excited jabber
Floated off through the open window.
Words trapped in a cartoon speech bubble,
That hot summer's day,
All those years ago.

Slap her, slap her.
Pinch, pinch.
We came to trading blows.
Over a bracelet, little trinket
With tinkling bells. Just gilt frippery,
Given by a boy.
And she liked him too.

Sister, sister.
Blister, blister.
Ten and eight years old.
Her envy wrenched it from my wrist. Then thrown
Outside it fell, glinting in the sun...until
Snatched by a magpie,
Justice was well done!