On the Other Hand Copyright © Rob Lock 2011

A youth - who could be named - stayed in last night,
finished his essay and applied to train for social work.
Emma, aged three, strayed from her mum the day before
in Abbeygate Street; this attracted the kindness and tact
of a middle-aged man who, finding her crying,
involved two teenage girls. Julia Dunlop, looking up
from her page, made accidental eye contact with Vern
who will, two children later, think of marriage.
Mrs Ruby Turner - she’s already outlived Frank,
had a tumour removed and avoided MRSA -
raised a modest amount with an unpublicised swim.