you're leaving
heading South
in Katie’s wonderful bus
a 1954 Bedford
it had long curves
a split windscreen
and a chimney
that gave it away
as a living vehicle
this was the time
when the media
was hysterical
about “travellers”
we stopped for tea
but before the kettle
had boiled
there was a knock knocking
at the sliding door
two guys
with a petrol can
and a lighter
they held them up
and said
“you’re leaving”
so
we left
eventually
we got to Newbury
we had caught up
with the others
and a raggly convoy
rolled into town
somehow
a police escort appeared
at the park
there were people
waving flags
cameras for the mayor
to welcome
the travelling show
I still felt jumpy
and scanned their faces
these were the same folks
and you can’t tell from looking
whether you are going
to get death threats
or bunting
HC: 2020