1970s we came

Gods must turn the page, by Tejbai Naran (Sept 2013)

The 1970s we came:

1970 in January, came down the worst winter

from India, we didn’t know snow

didn’t know Oldham, snow in street, bath in cellar, outside toilet

went to school me and my sister

Dad dropped us there the first eight weeks

then we knew the way

but:

21 bus, or 27 bus?

catching it we confused

don’t know the language, Manchester, buses

the driver stopped

somewhere strange and he pushed us off

Asian man asked - are you lost

took us to police on Manchester road

we don’t know police station, don’t know words they speak

 - thought they were thieves looking through our bags

but:

in my bag, our address

took us to the police car

we know we don’t go in cars with strangers

us crying, coming home with police

me mum opened the door

they said “Are these your daughters?”

but:

she didn’t speak English

shook her head – what did they think?

she pointed upstairs

then me dad came down, sorted it

dad picked us up another 3 months after that

he worked nights, tired, I felt so sorry.

Thinking now of 40 years before

wellies with snow inside

the crying and the police - did that really happen?

But

it did – we must tell our children

our stories for

they never know when their days may change.

India, 5 years old in Baladia I was working

one day eating one day not, wishing

the gods turn the page to good luck.

My children have a good life now

but… 

Our first poem from our memory box project, Making Memories, written by Tejbai Naran during our session at the Indian Association in Oldham.