Sheila Charles
Sheila Charles ANYONE FOR A CHAT
I have mentioned before that I never
Go to the pictures alone
Nor do I go into the town centre,
Unless it’s urgent, on my own.
However I had a bill to pay
At the D.C.C.
And I always pay bills straight away,
That’s a characteristic of me!
There was no-one else on the bus in
And the driver was somebody new,
So I didn’t speak on the journey,
Which is something I normally do.
I paid my bill then went to a café.
I ordered a pot of tea and a bun.
I ate and drank in total silence,
Which, to be honest, was not much fun.
As I’d a long wait for the bus home,
I decided to have a go
At talking to complete strangers.
Would I start by saying ‘hello’?
I spotted an elderly lady.
I said, ‘I’ve puffed out already.’ She smiled.
I tried again to a young lady
Who had a push chair containing a child.
I said, ‘I’ll swap places with your little boy
Then you can push ME instead
And HE can push my walker.’
Did she think I was off my head?
No. She smiled and said, ‘You’re doing well.’
Next I spoke to a well-built young guy.
He was smoking but it wasn’t a cigarette.
Would he speak? I gave it a try.
I asked him, ‘Are you vaping?’ he nodded.
‘Do you like it?’ I added, ‘Or not?’
He said, ‘Not that much.’ That was it.
Is it ME or THEM or what?
So, I sat in solitary splendour, waiting for my bus.
Then someone sat by me. A conversation? No, it was monosyllabic, old Gus!
