i recall
the Saturday afternoon
picture theatre front stalls
when the ‘thwack’ of a Jaffa
onto the back of a head
dispatched expeditiously
from the dress circle
sent indolent boys scurrying
for a free sweet
and i am left wondering
if i wanted their privilege
or simply craved the opportunity

First published by Ginninderra Press (AUS) in ‘i want that in writing’
edited by Brenda Eldridge September 2020