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Malone Jono Grunger

I used to walk down the road, turn left at the junction and walk towards the bus stop. But buses coming round the bend would pass me, and I didnt hear them coming. So now I walk backwards from the junction to the stop and I can thus see them and flag them down.

Eccentric but effective!

Jigjag

Ingenious!

PS Have you ever been cursed by any people approaching from the direction of the bus stop, or are they all very kind and helpful, willing to walk round the backward man in front of them?

The curlew tolls the bell of parting day
The lowly nerd winds slowly to the inn
The weary solver got it wrong today
The points gave wend so no points for a win

Apologies to Thomas Gray

Malone

Thanks. People certainly give me a lot of room, and that was before social distancing!

Occasionally a young lady has helpfully asked me if I am OK, and they have been surprised when I have replied that I am trying to catch a bus. Of course you get unkind remarks like "what's that idiot doing?" usually from cyclists on the pavement.

I like your "backward man". I suppose I am in many ways.

jigjag

What a lovely poem, scans beautifully.

Love your bus-catching idea. I have never succeeded in flagging one down between stops. Not much luck with taxis either.

Jigjag,


Thanks. I asked because I could imagine my own reaction to suddenly coming across a backward-facing man in my path. I think I might be less polite than the people you come across (or who come across you?) Is there a fair distance from the corner to the bus stop? Could you not follow the normal rules (ie face the direction of travel) and walk with you right arm held out? You'd still look ... odd, but other people would be safer.

PS I liked your poem much, more more than the original ... but that's starting from a very low point.

Jigjag

I feel a rear view mirror might be the safest solution to your predicament ... I`ve always followed Bob Dylan`s advice ...
... `Don`t Look Back`

Jigjag

I echo the plaudits for your poem. I especially like the nod in my direction as I live in Curlew Crescent. Or was that a typo.....?! However, L is a long way from F on the keyboard.

Paul

Thanks. The misprints, curlew, nerd etc. were indeed deliberate. It is interesting what you can do with misprints in poems, quotations etc.

I dont like misprint crosswords though. There are enough errors, e.g. in the Times this week, without intentional ones.

Malone

Thanks. The distance is 40 yards but the pavement is narrow. if I put my arm out as you suggest, I will be encroaching on the cycle lane. Although cyclists generally prefer the pavement, there are some who use the cycle lane and I dont want to obstruct them.

It is worth a try though, and as I am going to town on the bus tomorrow, I will give it a go.