Dusk …and its subtleties

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Dusk

Before
    the blond child
         in the red crash helmet
had fallen
     in front of him
          from the scooter
                  on the steep pavement
so close to the rush hour road

he’d seen it coming
scooped her up in his great spread of arms, had them outstretched
                    a while before she fell.

Brave girl, he cooed.
She scowled
rubbing her elbow
in the half-light.

Her mum took a while
with her cigarette glow
and carrier bags.
He’s a boy, she said.

I’m a boy, she said.

Well, there you go, he replied.

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