The Open Sign

By Mikael Englund

Highly Commended, ‘Growing Word’ Category

Whether it rains or beams of sunlight bounce off the ground  
I can count on the Open sign 
No matter how much confusion or fear floats around 
I can count on the Open sign 
Even if the coronavirus is making people cry
I can count on the Open sign  

Behind the till Bossman will be 
Never lacking a smile 
Before I even decide what to buy 
The small corner shop has all I want to find  
No what matter time of day 
I can count on the Open sign. 

Even to customers unkind 
Scavenging for all the toilet paper they can find 
Bossman will give a smile  
No matter what age, woman, man or child 
Even in lockdown’s misery  
I can count on the Open sign  

At the end of a long day 
As Bossman counts his pay 
He puts some of it aside  
For those who are told one percent is a sufficient rise  
Keyworkers who are never given a say
No matter how badly Bossman needs it, he gives it away 
I can count on the Open sign

---

Growing Word poems