The window sticker pleaded

'give a gnome a home'

His nose cold against the glass

 

Wurzel Gummage sang

about the alphabet.

I held Amanda close.

The black doll slept

Through the 7am calm

 

Cheek-a-boo Clip-on

clasping the light-pull

applauding the darkness

feeling alone

 

Snow White projected

on the wall

Engrained in my mind

left behind.

Everything left behind

 

Bunk beds in the hostel.

The citrus refuge of 'The Limes'.

Families hiding

seeking solace.

Spilling salt tinged stories.

The memory of too much to tell.

 

Libraries built by

six year old hands

using books, snap cards and popper pens.

Filled with Spot The Dog longing.

To be returned to The Faraway Tree

in three weeks.

 

That was the year

I gave the Littlest Hobo a home

and left the gnome stuck to the glass.

The smell of cut grass

stinging his nose.