The Ofi Press Magazine

Poem by Josephine Scott (UK). Published in Issue 30. 

The North East Special Edition: Displacement (Part 2).

Displaced

She began her life where the sun
burned the soles of her feet
as she ran along the pavement,
tumbled out of trees
where crickets rubbing their legs together
sent her to sleep at night.
He dared her to swim far out to the raft
brought her back clinging to him
like a second skin.
Taught her to sit still and catch lizards
placing thumb and finger
gently round their necks,
had twenty in an old shoe box.
She landed where razor sharp rain
slashed at her tanned face,
legs encased in tights
shoes nipping her toes,
huddled in front of fires
that scorched her face while her back froze.
She grew frail pining for summer,
wandered down to the sea
sat still like a lizard on a rock
waiting for someone to come
and place their arms around her neck.

Image: Get Carter Car Park and Trinity Centre, Gateshead

Richard E. Hook

Desplazo

Ella empezo su vida donde el sol
quema las suelas de sus pies
mientras corria por el pavimento,
tropezando entre los arboles
donde grillos que frotan sus patas
la hacian dormir por la noche.
El la retaba a nadar mas alla de la balsa
La traia de vuelta colgada a el
Como una segunda piel.
Le enseno a sentarse y a cazar lagartijas
Poniendo pulgar y dedo
Suavemente al rededor de sus cuellos,
Tenia veinte en una vieja caja de zapatos.
Ella aterrizo donde la filosa agua de lluvia,
Cortaba su bronceada cara,
Piernas enfundadas en medias
Zapatos apretando sus pies,
Agrupados frente a piras
Que achicharran su cara mientras su espalda se congeal.
Ella crecio fragil deseando por el verano,
Vagando por el mar
Se sento quieta como lagartija en una roca
Esperando a ver llegar a alguien
poner sus brazos al rededor de su cuello.