Wangaratta tandem

big woman in her forties
embedded into a mobility scooter
rips through pedestrian traffic
pulls smartly to the side of the footpath
in a well-practiced maneuver

gives a deep
wet
smokers cough
filled with old history and current intent

her partner
a pinch-faced weed in his fifties
pulls in behind her
dismounts his steed

too much emphysema to walk
he staggers to the steps
of the lottery and sundry goods shop

comes out a few moments later
with a quick-pick
and a packet of forty

they both light up

ahh

ahh

power up and they’re off
in tandem
down the centre of the pavement

cigarette
in hand and mouth
feeling lucky

let’s go
grab a pizza

---

© Frank Prem, 2015

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