One of those weird unexpected moments certainly attracted some comments when Hazel Ettridge posted it on Write Out Loud.  Her modest response to being chosen as Poem of the Week was to say ‘Thanks, but there have been some much better poems around the site recently. This was not good poetry, just proved to be a controversial subject.’ We think it’s more than that, and we hope you enjoy it. Here it is, along with Hazel’s answers to our Q&A.

What got you into writing poetry?
Roger McGough's Summer with Monika.

How long have you been writing?
Writing since age 5 - I am that little girl, who has a little curl .... WRITING?  - still not sure that I am.
 
Do you go to any open mic nights?
No. But thinking about it after hearing local poet Kate Tym at a Jo Brand gig this week.

What is your favourite poet/poem?
I have so many. Anything by Mary Oliver - perhaps The Journey.

You are cast away on a desert island, what is your luxury?
Sun cream.

One of those weird unexpected moments.
by Hazel Ettridge

They lay humped on the ground
Like war strewn bodies
But they were only sleeping
In early morning sun in Euston Square.
I had twenty minutes before my connection
Ran into M&S to buy ten packets of custard creams.
I lay them on the grass, one for each slumbering man.
He stirred and stood quickly swearing at me.
He threw the packet at my head.
"Keep away from my patch you bloody bitch"
He stumbled forward and loomed over me.
A young family sitting on a bench watched.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry if I have trespassed"
"Get away from here". He moved closer, gesturing.
I was looking into his eyes. I couldn't help it.
He was just a man.
He was in pain.
It was an intimate moment
For me.
He stopped. Looking back into my eyes. Lowered his voice.
"You are not open."
He turned away.