Fokkina McDonnell
232/A Beraroos, Handmade
Bought in Lisbon,
first port of call.
A blue pottery bowl.
It holds Co-op coupons,
two wrinkled apples,
a cutting about dead
Japanese soldiers
being identified by
the soles of their feet.
Tram No 1
is old – narrow doors, steep steps, red and creamy-yellow livery. Most generate revenue through striking colours: Cola red, Hommerson Casino green, purple for the popular new Aladdin at the Circus Theatre.
I double-checked documents, allowed an extra half hour to travel. The atrium is the largest in The Netherlands. The official welcomed me to the country, but, yes, I must belatedly (no rush) bring authenticated copy certificates of marriage (1973) and death (1977).
Fokkina McDonnell now lives in The Netherlands. Her poems have been widely published and anthologised. She has three collections and a pamphlet. Fokkina holds a Northern Writers’ Award from New Writing North (2020). She blogs on www.acaciapublications.co.uk
Briefly Write 