Pennies

I eat Haribo on trains
and wince as the sugar crunches on my teeth
like January frost.
I fold up the empty packet
in the shape of a dagger.

I spend loose change on vegetable samosas
from a deli down my street.
They don't fill me up
and my breath always tastes
of sweetcorn.

I give money for raffle tickets
when I go to watch football.
I don't know where the money goes-
I think it is to build a second tier
behind the goal.

I buy local newspapers
and discard them after reading
a few headlines.
Later I read the full stories
on teletext.

When I see a 50p on the floor
I'll think if children crying
in sweet shops
or an old lady rummaging around
in her purse.