Memories of Writing In Residence
And Other Things
By Margaret Kenna
It starts with the Cinnamon shop
Which sounds like it should involve pastries
But is actually all about memory
It reminds me to ring my father
Who can count backwards in threes
But can’t remember how to work the microwave
Small children collapse in helpless giggles
Watching performances on Bramber Green
I hope my children can still find that joy
Even though they are grown up
I visit the Open Air Art Gallery
I see the painter at work
In Russell Square
And think how lovely creativity is
I hear the story of Minnie Lansbury
And admire how brave she was
Standing up to all those bullies
It ends with States of Mind
Such dark and disturbing poetry
I forget everything for an hour
Then I tell my father about my day
As Writer in Residence
He says he still remembers
The day he dropped me off
Round the corner from the theatre
He couldn’t believe he was old enough then
To have a daughter going to university
We laugh at how much older
We both are now
My father can count backwards in threes
He can’t work the microwave
But he says he still remembers
Everything that is really important
(Margaret went to see The Cinnamon Shop, The Open Air Art Gallery, I Minnie Lansbury and States of Mind as one of 26 Writers in Residence).
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