The lollipop people are chatting
about last night’s football match.
The cold snap has not put a stop
to tactical analysis, shared opinions,
compliments of tricky wingers
and the haircut of a defensive midfielder.
It’s genial, too early to imagine
wishing a hard worker lose their job.
Their sticks are two goal posts waiting
for a cross bar. Their fluorescent green coats
are hiding one blue heart and one red heart:
a uniform bridging two sides of the street.

© Carl Burkitt 2023