Bought,

imagining her face

her smile

a butter dish

from Derbyshire

the cow on the lid

painted cheerfully

is sat on a creamy base

licks of grass growing up its sides

 

Wrapped

in gossamer tissue

taped at the edges

so as not to give away

its contents

beautiful

held

tightly

carefully

all the way home

sandwiched in-between “ten green bottles”

an annoying hum

of hyperactivity

 

Free from the coach

I run all the way back

eager to see her delight

burning inside

heart heaving

dum de dum!

dum de dum!

dum de dum!

turning the corner

gasping

steeling myself

I move quickly

down the street

in through the wash house

into her arms