Fay walked with you
across the bombsite
off Meadow Row

the bombed out houses
like decaying teeth
in an old jaw

if Daddy saw me here
he’d spank me
she said

looking over the site
where weeds grew
in cracks and over

once backyards
and living rooms
there’s no danger

if you step careful
you said
Daddy says

it's walking on the dead
Fay uttered
looking at you

sideways on
her hands raised at her sides
as if learning to fly

all things born
will some day die
you said

standing on a broken wall
come on let’s go in
the haunted house

or so it seems
you laughed reaching out
for her hand to bring her forth

she hesitated
looked around
fearing her daddy’s

beady eyes
then took
your hand

and followed in
the semi dark
of bombed out room

it stinks of ****
you muttered
she giggled and set her foot

on bricks and stony floor
what if it all falls in?
she asked

looking up at the sky
through cracks and holes
her hand felt warm in yours

her fingers curled
around your own
it’s just adventure

you said
you got to take a few risks
we’re a long time dead

and her eyes widened
and stared
and she whispered

I’m scared
and clung to you
what do think

the people here thought
when the bombs fell
and they hadn’t made the shelters

or didn’t know
you said
she shrugged

her narrow shoulders
and bit her lip
my mother said

all they found
of her neighbours’ child
was a blown off hand

don’t tell me
Fay said
I will dream of that now

sorry I shouldn’t have said
you uttered
feeling her fingers

grip your arm
her thin nails
marking skin

let’s go out
she said
and off she went

dragging you behind
out into the sunshine
she looking to see

if her daddy’d seen
her sinful tread
but for you

looking back
it was just an adventure
on land of the dead.