Digital Commonwealth Creative Writing Anthology: Writing for the Common Weal [JUNE 2015]

The Pocket The contents of a pocket: a fly on the wall would have been more exciting. In all walks of life people will carry different things in their pockets that are meaningful to them. Just thinking about that has put my mind into overdrive now. I am thinking what might have been in President Clinton’s trouser pocket and what some other well-known celebrities should have had in theirs.

When I was a guide captain many years ago we used to do what was called a random pocket inspection and they had to empty them out in front of them. Some items were compulsory to carry and these were: a piece of string, a clean handkerchief, loose change for an emergency phone-call, the nearest doctor’s name and number, safety pins and your own name, address and phone number (if you were lucky enough to have a phone). What was sometimes found were: photos of boyfriends, chewing gum either stuck to the pocket or paper, empty sweetie wrappers, sweets, usually a dirty hanky that was of no use, and pieces of paper on which notes were written, even the odd dirty joke. Imagine trying to stuff all that into your pocket today. Nowadays girls carry bags like suitcases with mobile phones, chargers, photos, address books, make up galore, hair-brushes, tongs, hairdryers, books and even extra shoes. I could go on and on. Now on the other hand, the queen carries nothing in her pockets and even her traditional handbag contains no money.

However, looking back to the time I was born – in 1940 – it was interesting to find out that my Uncle George, who was my father’s brother and a prisoner of war at that time always carried photos of me (I was named after him) that my parents sent him. Everytime he was moved between stalags my photos were stamped on the back. Before he died, a few years ago, he returned the photos to me and I will always treasure them.

I am sure many members of H.M. forces would have such treasured possessions in all their pockets at that time too. They were sent to do a job for their country and had no choice. For most I am sure they would rather have been at home with their loved ones.

The contents of a homeless person’s pocket may be the only way to trace who that person was if they were found dead from hypothermia or malnutrition. He might have been a very educated man, a doctor even and lost touch with his family who he loved so much. He may even have lost his memory and not even remember who he was, so finding out information would be so helpful otherwise their existence would never be known.