I remember running
across the sand at Seaforth beach
when I was three
chasing a red bouncing ball
and hearing my aunt scream
before picking me up
her stepping between silver studs
in the sand
I’d run into a minefield
There was no red ball
It was the family dog
that I had chased
It had been blown up
(From Roger McGough: this much I know. Submitted by Lisa Oliver)
Verbatim Poetry 