hurrying down Whitehall
a woman in a shawl
Romanian, a refugee
face hardened
from begging on the Tube
ten steps behind
her little boy
munching on crisps
with worldly eyes
no more than four years old
maybe five
and all at once his eyes light up
a child again
he hesitates
last look at mum
then runs in joy
to grab
a slightly deflated
red balloon
blowing
lost
down Whitehall
Errors of Judgement by Wayne Myers