after Humphrey Spender’s ‘Scout Parade’
Each day has its care, but each care has its day
a proverb proclaims from a church billboard
as a scout parade files through its archway.
Half these young men look solemn, half bored,
caught between the effort and the reward
of endeavour; the same way today they’d
seek out their tribe online, feeling ignored
by institutions twenty times as staid,
committed to doctrines wholly displayed.
Or choose to look again: see uncertain
boys finding their way; how for all the charade
community is less brick-heavy burden
than the self’s solid foundations, come what may:
each day has its care, but each care has its day.
