Peppermint Creams

Peppermint Creams

Through the proscenium gate

My mum reclines in the late June sun

Eating peppermint creams on a blue tartan rug

And waits for me to remember

I’m nine

Through the Diorama

My sister perfecting some tumbling routine

Her socks and the palms of her hands all green

Their lips are shiny with icing sugar

The sun the brightest and hottest ever

There’s music somewhere its schools out for summer

Schools out for ever

And I am the happiest I have ever been

Because my mum knows how to make peppermint creams

Our lips are shiny with icing sugar

The sun the brightest and hottest ever

And schools out for summer,

Schools out for ever

There’s nothing ahead now but sweeties and pieces and running and running to see who’s the fastest, to see what it feels like,

To tear through the picnickers squealing and weaving

To pedal too high and then jump off the swing screaming

To swagger with ice creams behind the park keeper

Then run when he checks us for dropping our litter

I am all why and when

I am 9 going on 10

Amped up on white sugar

Johhny and the gun and the gun was loaded Johnny and the gun and the gun went

Wait

I wasn’t ready

My mum shakes out the brown paper bag

Tiny white shards that I might have licked had I waited behind

Shower down

But I’m already half way across the park, torn, torn,

She shakes the grass from the rug, rolls it up, takes my sisters grassy hand

Wait

But they’re already half way to the gate

Waving they shimmer in sun drenched flicker frame

Wait

I’m not ready

Rewind the tape

I want to have this day again

Mum?

Wait.