Be On Our Way 1960 Poem by Terry Collett

Hannah said to meet her
at her flat
so I went across the Square
to where her flat was
and knocked at the door

Mrs Scot stood there

Hannah is it?
I nodded

Hannah's it at th' shaps
she said

o right can I come in
and wait?
I said

she stared at me
for a few seconds
as if I'd made
an indecent proposal

ah guess ye can
she said

and she stood back
to let me pass

I went to the passageway
and it smelt of yesterdays
dinner and boiling washing

sit doon in th' livin' room
she said

I sat down
looking around the room
and she went off to the kitchen
the radio was on low
playing Victor Sylvester music

there were black and white photos
on the sideboard
and a big photo on the wall
of a wedding

then the front door opened
and Hannah came in

I'm back
got your shopping
and she walked past
the living room door
o you're here already Benny
she said to me
good just putting this lot away
and we can be off

aff whaur?
her mother said

Benny's showing me
his new school
Hannah said

what's sae special abit 'at?
she said
coming out of the kitchen
like a warrior for battle

his new school in September
I want to see it
Hannah said

her mother pulled a face
and stared at me
is it a wee jimmies skale?

yes Mum a boy's school
Hannah said

I felt out of place
and stared at the wallpaper

right we are off now Mum
see you later
Hannah said
and we went out the door
and into the Square

don't mind her
Hannah said
she's always that way

and I mused
good start to a new day

so we walked off
to where my new school was
about a good mile away
glad to be on our way.