Spared
At the mall today
almost lost you
didn't hold your hand
wasn't my weekend
your father
held it tight
so small at four
in the café
bought you juice
Did the man
see you sit
at your table
did you see him
solitary
at his table
next to madness
demons in his head
rifle in his bag
Rambo for a day.
Four minutes
You
get in the car
he shoots a girl
your waitress
who gave you juice
shoots others
coffee in their cups
you
next to your dad
in the car
exit
him
close
in the car park
more shots
Bang
Bang Bang Bang
Bang Bang
Bang
finally
for himself
BANG
Did you hear
The radio reports
seven dead
your father
on the phone
no words
I knew
you were there
four minutes
to spare
“Being at home can be fun, insulating, relaxed, boring or isolating ... depending on how the day is going.”*
School holidays are almost over in my part of the world – six long weeks of noise and squabbling balanced by hot, lazy days at the beach or the pool with lots of daring exploits and laughter. Many of our days were spent at home, basking in simple pleasures like baking, playing games or outdoor pursuits – trying to relax the everyday routines of school-morning bustle and ‘having to be somewhere on time’. However pleasant, I must admit to being relieved that life gets back to normal next week, and I can reclaim some of my own time for writing again!
* From Being Mummy by Anne‑marie Taplin published April 2007