She said Hem
had hit her

I saw the bruise
on her arm

she was next to me
on the balcony
of the flats
looking down
into the Square

where'd he go?
I asked

don't know
you know
what my brother's like
Lydia said

we scanned the area
about the flats
over by the fence
that led
to the grass area

what did
your mother say?

She said
she'd have a word
with him
but he gets
away with it
and Dad said
o he's a boy
boys do that    

I had him
the other month
when he threw
that firework
at my sister
I said

I know
he told Dad
but Dad said
stick up for yourself
don't whine to me

I chased him
across the Square
and down the *****
and across the road
where I cornered him
against the wall
and thumped him
to the ground

she sighed
he never learns
she said

I looked at her
beside me
dressed in the grey
and red dress
her brown hair
straight and thin
the bruise was blue
on her arm
her arm was thin
as was she
altogether

let's not waste time
looking for him Benny
let's go
to the train station
and look at
the steam trains
going through

I sighed
I wanted to thump Hem

but I said
ok let's go
I'll get him later
if he'll show.