1 | 2

 

Traffic patterns

 

I was trundling my recyclables

in their special dark green plastic receptacle

down to the local collection platform

next to the telephone and internet connection

pillar near the stormwater grate beside the gutter

outside #23 Tilley when all the traffic on the highway

stopped.

The sudden silence was quite unnerving. After a while

people got out of their vehicles and wandered about

chatting in groups of two or three. One

brought out a drinks flask and some plastic cups.

Another passed around a packet of biscuits.

I thought I saw my grandmother down there

offering milk and sugar but by the time

I climbed down the hill to greet her, the cars

were moving again. I’ll make scones

I thought and wait here for her tomorrow.

We haven’t spoken in years.

 

 

 

Contents | Previous Author | Next Author | About this Author