The Flying Ointment For A Besom

 

The girls chant outside

the corner shop:

one, two, buckle my shoe...

three four, knock

at the door...five, six pick up sticks...

They hop, and straddle, land a foot.

 

The crone, nettled

with arthritic knees, shuffles

along the leafy street.

She knows their game, the numbers

and squares, the court

where youth displays.

 

Needled by age she buys

a broom. The head's a bundle

of birch twigs. She lubricates

the handle of hazel wood

with belladonna. Her joy

flies. The girls wave.

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Phil Wood was born in Wales. He studied English Literature at Aberystwyth University. He has worked in statistics, education, shipping, and a biscuit factory. He enjoys chess and learning German. His writing can be found in various places, including: Byways (Arachne Press Anthology), The Seventh Quarry (issue 39).

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