PRAY BOOK LOST 1959

A BOY AND GIRL IN A NURSING HOME IN 1959

Anne holds
the prayer book
between hands

flips pages
Skinny kid
wheels her chair

by the kids
on the swing
and the slide

on the grass
look at this
picture Kid

Benny peers
at the book
whose is it?

he asks her
the pray card
has a nun

dressed in black
with a small
white halo

Sister Bede's
it says here
Anne says

where did you
find the book?
Benny says

the penguin
left the book
on a chair

in chapel
Anne says
she'll need it

Benny says
Anne hides
the prayer book

in her lap
underneath
her red skirt

she feels it
on her stump
where her leg

used to be
let her look
for the thing

Anne says
and find it
if she can

Benny stares
at the home
for sick kids

and the nun
searching round
for her book

he watches
Anne’s gaze
and cool look.