In Plane Sight: Parking Tickets, by Kate Meyer-Curry
Sydney Gardens Tree Weekender writing competition — this piece was selected by our volunteer judges as worthy to be included on a long list. Competition entrants were asked to write a poem or prose piece of 250 words or fewer on the theme of trees in parks and public gardens, as well as identify the local park or garden, the trees in which inspired them.
I often park under one of the plane
trees ranked down my urban road.
They are like local traffic wardens,
rooted to the spot in all weathers,
always on patrol, on the lookout for
infringements.
Their trunks are netted in sturdy
weather-proof plastic, foliage turning
high-vis yellow as the nights draw in.
They stare down vehicles blown in
by chance, sturdy pollarded branches
folded like arms, nodding cropped
heads in disapproval.
Each clasps a sheaf of fluttering
parking-ticket leaves in their stubby-
twigged fingers.
They mutter under muted morning
breath, egged on by the jobsworth
breeze, to drop their summons with
fresh green urgency on still-drowsy
windscreens.
Drivers sigh and lift wipers to peel
them off, glued by sticky sap: autumn’s
fine for summer’s outstayed welcome.
Mutley, Plymouth.
Kate Meyer-Currey moved to Devon in 1973. A varied career in frontline settings has fuelled her interest in gritty urbanism, contrasted with a rural upbringing, often with a slipstream twist.
Read other long listed pieces here. From 24 November, discover whether this piece made the shortlist — you can listen to it using the Echoes.xyz app either within or around Sydney Gardens in Bath or remotely.
Find out about all the events running on-line or in Sydney Gardens over the Tree Weekender on 27 & 28 November 2021, and look out especially for the Celebratory Finale Showcase at which the Competition winners and runners-up will be announced.
With special thanks to Dr Richard White and undergraduate students in Participatory Media at Bath Spa University for their support in making the geo-located audio pieces.
