Traffic cones block the pavement
as I cycle home from work
on a dark, cold, blowy winter’s evening
after a long day spent
teaching.
I tut with annoyance
as I am forced to slow right down
to negotiate the obstacles
in my path.
Then, I cycle on.

Across the road I see a small boy,
about ten years old,
skipping along on his way home
from the corner shop.
Traffic cones block his pavement too.
He runs at them,
leap-frogging each one in turn,
then continues, still skipping, on his way.

I shake my head and laugh.
Where I saw only obstacles,
this wee boy saw challenges, opportunities
and I think to myself,
“That wee boy could certainly teach me
a thing or two!”

© Claire Murray