Sarah Scott Journalist

Observing life in York. Written January 2022.

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A man power-walks through the centre of York

His trousers are too big

and his nose is red from the cold.

–

I’ve never seen this man before

And chances are I’ll never again

But I want to remember this man

Whose name I’ll never know.

–

He is aged from the sun

But looks about sixty.

His silver hair

Reminds me of wealth.

–

He is rich with a family

And money

And luck.

And he takes a breath of cold air

In through his rosy lips.

–

I see this man for over five seconds

Walking through the centre of York.

The minister behind

Shows less grace than he

The old man who walks alone.

–

Now I see two ladies and two dogs

Walking through the centre of York.

One holds onto the other

For support.

–

They’re dressed for winter

But still look cold

One is young

And the other old.

–

Now I see a girl walking alone

She glances around

But stares only at her phone.

Maybe she’s meeting a friend

Or is using the phone as a way to make her look less alone.