Inspired by John Law, “Back from Shopping” and Kerfe Roig, “Badger”
John Law, “Back from Shopping” 
Kerfe Roig, “Badger”
Sturdy women coated and scarved,
against the cold, damp English day. Tight-clad legs step
clop clop on water-pooled streets. The little one’s hand grasped—
everywhere unseen dangers lurk.
There will be no jumping now. Come along, her mother says,
and goes on talking about Bess’s too-soon baby, Tom’s gout,
and Will who lost his job—again.
Beneath the surface of their words, stories swim,
fish waiting to be caught,
the meanings elusive, not quite hooked.
The woolen hats and packages move with the women, yellow, red, and green
contrasts with the grey all around.
In the fine drizzle of the fretting sea,
the shops are nearly invisible,
like the badger in their garden, a fog-creature of the night.
The girl wonders if he lives beneath
the surface of the puddles. She jumps, despite her mother’s hand,
and laughs. Then a laugh bursts from her mother’s surprised O mouth.
They continue walking. It’s almost time for tea.
She will save some scraps for the badger. See if he surfaces, like love.
For Paul Brookes’s Ekphrastic Challenge. You can see all the art and read all the poems here.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Reblogged this on The Wombwell Rainbow.
Thank you, Paul.
A fine descriptive poem with a stunning last sentence
Thank you so much, Derrick!
I was wondering how you were going to bring in the badger! Brava!! I love this poem.
Thank you very much, Liz! 💙
I sensed the badger in there, but it took some work to get it right.
You’re welcome, Merril! The work definitely paid off.
Thank you! 😀
You’re welcome!
I love the way the words of the poem fit the picture. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you very much! I’m so pleased you enjoyed it.
Perfect! Great job, Merril.
Thank you, Jill!
I like how you conjured up these characters and then brought the badger to their garden! Great way to include both prompts 😊
Thank you so much, Ingrid! They seemed very real to me. 😀
Those ladies do look rather badgerish from behind 🙂
🤣
A lovely story told in the form of a poem. Much of it made me smile, especially these lines:
Beneath the surface of their words, stories swim,
fish waiting to be caught,
the meanings elusive, not quite hooked.
I don’t know why, but these lines reminded me of when my mom and her sisters would get together (a long, long time ago) and talk and talk and talk.
Thank you so much, Marie. I’m glad my poem brought back some happy memories.
What a wonderful story! I can hear those women talking. And the girl makes me smile. (K)
Thank you–I love that! I’ve never been there or known them, but it seemed like I did.
This is just beautiful.
Thank you so much, Claudia!
I love this story-poem. I, too, wondered how the badger would be incorporated… Well done!
Thank you very much, Dale!💙