It's a fish
for God's sake
Anne said

seeing the
excitement
from the kids

having found
a dead fish
on the beach

and the nun
with them said
we could have

it for tea
or supper
there were cheers

from the kids
walking back
to the home

listen Kid
Anne said
if they think

I'm eating
that dead fish
they can go

**** themselves
the Kid looked
at the fish

being held
by its tail
by the nun

the dead eyes
staring out
don't eat it

Anne said
don't like it
swinging there

the dead eyes
the Kid said
pushing up

the pathway
the wheelchair
with Anne

inside it
him gazing
at her leg

and the gap
beside it
where her lost

leg had been
and the stump
lying there

visible
where her skirt
had risen

don't eat it
that dead fish
Anne said

no I won't
the Kid said
looking past

Anne's head
at the fish
swinging there

cold and dead.