Claire Crowther’s first collection Stretch of Closures was shortlisted for the Jerwood/Aldeburgh Best First Collection prize.

Lost Child

Scrape the ditch that fits Hob’s Moat
to Hatchford Brook. Look through oak roots,

the horse field, uphill to Elmdon.
Is she hiding behind that sky-blue Lexus?

Shout toward the airport. Planes rise
and fall as if ground were a shaking blanket.

Up there, the air hostesses smile.
Inflate your own life-jacket first.

The small original airport building stands
apart, a mother at a school gate.

Pearl was playing quietly alone.
My ear is like a shell the wind swept.