The Red Kerchief

RUBY TUESDAY
http://rubytuesday2.blogspot.com.au/

THE RED KERCHIEF


I wanted an excuse to use this photo;
Ruby Tuesday seemed the time and seemed the place.
So I chose the name Red Kerchief for the toddler
With the rosy, ruddy, happy little face.
I don't know where she's from (maybe Mongolia)
But it's camel-country so that must be sand!
Children and animals, intermixed with laughter
Are things the whole wide world can understand.
*
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NEMESIS

It had happened so long ago,

When we were lads in school.

You and I, together, 

Had broken a Golden Rule.

The rule itself escapes me;

A misdemeanour, nothing more,

But we stood in the office together

And the Principal closed the door.

'It was him, sir' I said so glibly;

'I was only passing by'.

It was remarkably easy

To tell a bare-faced lie.

I was an angel-faced youngster,

You hadn't got much charm;

You viewed my lack of loyalty

With horror and alarm.

After you'd had the caning,

We met in the passage-way.

"Sorry, old chap' I said to you;

That was the least I could say.

It was then you fixed me with a gaze

That I will never forget

Saying 'You are going to be sorry

That you and I ever met.

For I'll be tracking you down, my friend;

And one day we will meet

As adults in an adult world,

Just walking down the street.

And you will know that I've found you;

And that retribution's nigh.

Very soon, you will realise

That you are about to die.'

And there you are, behind me;

I feel the proximity;

The age-old look is in your eyes,

A look meant just for me.

Suddenly I am immobile,

Transfixed by awful dread.

Ten years may have passed us by

But you meant just what you said.

*