(header photographs by Harry Waite 1912-2011)

Some years later Darby wrote this variation on the same theme:

Junk

To the walker’s fire I give this verse

The centre of his universe.

It keeps malevolent things at bay

(They lurk in shadows across the way)

 

But to some, the fire is a heaven-sent

Repository for garbage from minds well bent

Dead tins, wrappers and orange peels

Residues of unsuccessful meals.

 

This rubbish confronts us till sleep prevails

We dream of it when alertness fails

And in the morning we find it still

Stirred and mixed till it makes us ill.

 

Show respect for your fellow man

Make tidiness the keystone of your camping plan.

 

Darby Munro

“N.B.C.”

July 1987