Wilbury Road

Returning

from the dentist

I passed them

walking

up Wilbury Road

She was old

draped in a

heavy dress

inching forward on

a quad base

walking stick

He was tall

middle-aged

ponytailed

and affectionately

stooped

A raised right hand

helping in spirit

perhaps preempting a fall

her son I guessed

As they stood

my only option

was to walk

between them

and their conversation

Head down

I gargled an apology

through polished teeth

which I’m

not sure they heard

Nobody whistles from building sites anymore 

she said

No

he replied on a chuckle 

that’s now classified as rape