Tuesday, April 1, 2008

CELLS AND LETTUCES

When I lived in Newcastle, in my second floor flat, I grew lettuces on a windowsill; a token food source against the possibility of nuclear attack.

In my last moments, I would have eaten them. I would have felt independent, well prepared, and close to nature.


* * * * *

Yesterday, Ming phoned.

His cell is an upstairs room on the bus.

He has a table, a chair and a good view in the daytime - with a 'pull-down' bed at night.

There's a dining room on the lower deck and an armed guard on the door.

(There's one by the emergency exit too.)

Didcott exchanged a few words with him in Martian.

(With Ming - not the guard.)

I found that quite moving.

Apparently, he's cut his hair.

* * * * *

When there was a Greater London Council, it issued a warning to allotment holders.

Lettuces absorb toxic chemicals from traffic fumes. Grow anything you like - but don't eat your lettuces.

Ah!

_____

3 comments:

Frances, said...

Hope you are feeling better, Esther. We were worried about you and your family with thevarious issues at hand. I like your lettuce story, well armed against that radiation, so you thought!
Frances at Faire Garden

garden girl said...

Esther, I hope you're feeling better too.

It's good Didcott got to talk to Ming. You and the children must be missing him so much.

I'm growing lettuces in a container on my patio this spring. I hope there are no nuclear attacks.

VP said...

Hi Esther - I used to live in Newcastle too :)