the band house

 the band house

dad called it 

but when we pushed secretly

inside was nothing

bits of something 

that amounted to nothing

enough our secret that the locked door

could be pushed enough for daring

to do what daring does 

did

but outside was treasure

for fingernails that could climb

the slagstone and brick built walls

under the eves’ eyes were sparrow nests

and eggs that egged peter goodall 

to tell his nan 

to tell my mum

i was not at all good

remonstrations volleyed

don’t get caught dad said

and i treasured that

as the band played