EARLY MORNING TALK.

A BOY AND GIRL IN A NURSING HOME IN 1950S ENGLAND

Early morning sun
and we sat outside
having breakfast
around the tables

on the lawn
the nuns serving
and chiding
pointing out manners

and prayers not said
Anne wheeled
her wheelchair
to the table

and drew up
next to me
you're late Anne
Sister Agnes said

punctuality is a blessings
being late is laziness
Anne poured some cereal
into a bowl

I caught sight
of Sister Agnes’s glare
we are to say grace
before meals

she said
grace
said Anne
pouring milk onto the cereal

the Lord is listening
the nun said
pour me a glass
of orange juice Kid

she said to me
I poured her
a glass of juice
the nun stood there

gawking at Anne
for a short while
then went to another table
where she helped

other kids with breakfast
still chiding others
how did you sleep
last night Kid?

all right
I said
I slept poorly
my leg ached

and no bugger came
when I rang the bell
well she did eventually
what is it Anne?

she said
I told her my leg ached
your leg has gone
there is no leg there

any more
she said
I know that
I said

but it still bloody hurts
anyway she gave me
some pills eventually
after me moaning

at the b***h long enough  
she sipped her juice
how does your leg ache
when it's not there any more?

I asked
nerves
freaking nerves
that's why

she said
I ate my breakfast
and looked at her
sitting there

her dark hair
her eyes settled
on the nun's back
look at her backside

Anne said
even her black habit
can't hide that arse
I sipped my juice

looked at the nun
then at the sky  
seeing the morning sun
feeling shy.