He's a hand-width away
As the girls stand
eating their chips
with cardboard
forks
In deserted Wyndham Arcade
her friend
(with the tough Mancunian accent)
says
That's Enough
PLEASE GO AWAY
And his mate embarrassed into
finding a conscience
Grabs the leerer's arm
shamefaced
sorry about him
-come on
drags him away
with the rest of his beery mates
magnetically pulled
that bit of entertainment over
or as if he had the money for the next round
I've got to show I'm a man, y'know what I mean
he unsteadily gurgles to his mate as they
exit the arcade
the girls stand there
stabbing their chips
with resentment, anger, relief.

Rae Robinson - Wellington, New Zealand - April 2005
Formerly of Roath, Cardiff