Buying Winkles: quotes

Question 1

My _______ would spare me ________ and say,
‘______ up now and don’t be talking to _______
____ on the way.’ I’d dash from the _______
on the _____ where the _____ had ______
out into ________ Street, all ______.

Answer 1

My mother would spare me sixpence and say,
‘Hurry up now and don’t be talking to strange
men on the way.’ I’d dash from the ghosts
on the stairs where the bulb had blown
out into Gardiner Street, all relief.

Question 2

A ____ if the moon was in the ___ of sky
between the tall ______, or ____ out,
but even in ___ I was happy – the winkles
would be wet and glisten ___ like little
night ___ themselves.

Answer 2

A bonus if the moon was in the strip of sky
between the tall houses, or stars out,
but even in rain I was happy – the winkles
would be wet and glisten blue like little
night skies themselves.

Question 3

———————–. I’d hold the ______ tight
and jump every _____ in the pavement,
I’d wave up to _______ at ____ or those
________ in doorways and _____ a glad path through
_____ heading out for the ______.

Answer 3

———————–. I’d hold the tanner tight
and jump every crack in the pavement,
I’d wave up to women at sills or those
lingering in doorways and weave a glad path through
men heading out for the night.

Question 4

She’d be _______ outside the _________ Bar
on an ______-crate, a _____ loaded
with _____ of _______ before her.

Answer 4

She’d be sitting outside the Rosebowl Bar
on an orange-crate, a pram loaded
with pails of winkles before her.

Question 5

When the ____ doors swung open they’d _____
the _____ of men together with _____
and I’d see light in ________ _______.
I envied each ____ in the ____ interior.

Answer 5

When the bar doors swung open they’d leak
the smell of men together with drink
and I’d see light in golden mirrors.
I envied each soul in the hot interior.

Question 6

I’d ask her again to _____ me the right way
to do it. She’d take a ____ from her ______–
‘Open the _______. So. _____ it in
till you feel a _____, then ________ him out.
Gently, mind.’ The ________ extra winkle
that brought the ____ to me.
‘Tell ___ Ma I picked them _____ this morning.’

Answer 6

I’d ask her again to show me the right way
to do it. She’d take a pin from her shawl –
‘Open the eyelid. So. Stick it in
till you feel a grip, then slither him out.
Gently, mind.’ The sweetest extra winkle
that brought the sea to me.
‘Tell yer Ma I picked them fresh this morning.’

Question 7

I’d bear the ________ twists
_______ fat with winkles
______ home, like ______.

Answer 7

I’d bear the newspaper twists
bulging fat with winkles
proudly home, like torches.