Arabian days
Like Arabian days
A small pool in the centre of a square
A melting pot of cold water and cigarette smoke.
-No, Khusal, come back
-One more minute!
-Come on, we’re going!
-What are you going?
-There’s a bee, Daddy!
-Stop going back to it.
-It’s a fluffy bee!
-Naomi, get away from there!
-Look at the bee, Daddy.
-NAOMI! Come back here. It’s not safe!
-Time to go, Gillo
-Just one more splash.
-Ok, one more!
The sun is setting now.
The man with the can has taken up his familiar spot on the bench. It’s cooling down now as he lights his cigarette and takes a puff.
ENDS
PHILIPPA MANNION 