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Writer's pictureMartin Pickard

08.30 England

Updated: Mar 7, 2023

Icy wind and incinerator steam drifts aimlessly across the valley

Some unspoken order sends the sheep marching single file to warmer pasture

Two boys, caps back, with matching Minecraft packs, trail reluctantly behind a stressed mother, desperate to make the school on time

Other mothers pass her, already heading home, freed of their charges they chatter like schoolgirls planning a dance

Echoes of playground laughter run around the nearby churchyard, where blowsy daffodils droop in silent tribute and fresh faced snowdrops eagerly await the day


A lonely glove waits hopefully on a handy branch and discarded poo bags loiter by the community centre, blackbirds take up position on the deserted cricket pitch

On such a day great poets learn to read, engineers begin to dream and lifetime lovers hold hands for the first time.

The bell rings

49 views7 comments

7件のコメント


John Dallison
John Dallison
2023年3月08日

😉 Wonderfully evocative, Martin, Many of the images resemble the present scene, at 4-15pm, from my sitting-room. You have inspired me to try and write about that...

いいね!

Alison Blevins
Alison Blevins
2023年3月08日

great descriptions of the school run, love it.

いいね!

Nigel Smith
Nigel Smith
2023年3月05日

I can see how this would appeal to Macmillan mate, Bravo, a great piece!!


いいね!

Jon Best
Jon Best
2023年3月05日

Well observed including the inevitable poo bags

いいね!

Darrell Troon
Darrell Troon
2023年3月04日

From the everyday ordinary, extraordinary can flurish. Great piece

いいね!
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