a week that lasts for years

Who needs diamonds anyway?
by Shirley Elmokadem
poetry competition winner 2008

'They're not diamonds, silly!'
Kathy Smith said, pig-tailed, porcelain-skinned,
(So pretty she made me sick)
She snatched the brooch from my hand
And ran across the playground.
'Miss, she's got my brooch, my granny gave it me!'
(I said to the dinner lady)
'Shouldn't bring jewellery to school, she frowned.
'But Miss!'
'Didn't you hear the bell? In now!'

I never saw my brooch again.

There was a school reunion last week,
Kathy Smith was there,
Grey-haired, grey-skinned.
'Hello, remember me?'
She gave a giant crow-footed smile.
'Of course I do,' I replied, seething inside.
And while we drank tea she told me how
Her husband had walked out and that
She had two sons, both born dead.
'And you?' she asked, nibbling a cream bun.
'Married, five children, three grandsons.'
(Not seething so much now)
'I'm sorry I took your brooch,'
She suddenly announced,
1 still have it. Do you want it back?'
'No, keep it,' I said,
'They weren't diamonds anyway.'
Then I got up and walked away.

© Shirley Elmokadem 2008

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Shirley Elmokadem, Surrey, was previously winner in the Writing Magazine Space Travel poetry competition