It was a fine day
and one legged Anne
wanted to go down
to the beach

in her wheelchair
with you pushing her
I don’t want those other kids
following us down

Skinny Kid
she said to you
and so you went
and asked Sister Paul

and she said
Ok but mind
the incoming tides
and so you pushed her

in the wheelchair
along the path
and out the back gate
and onto the path

that led to the beach
and the sands
and the tide
was coming in

and you stopped
the wheelchair

as near as was safe
and she said

thank Christ
the others aren’t here
to spoil this moment
with their noise

and yakking
just us and the sea
and breeze
and the smell of salt

and you stood behind her
looking at the horizon
the waves
and the seagulls

in the air
hey come here
beside me Kid
I need to have you

where I can see you
so you stood
beside her
and she grabbed

your hand
and gave it a squeeze
breathe in that air
this is ******* life

as it ought to be
just you and me
and the elements
and the only thing missing

is my amputated leg
rotting some place
or burnt to ashes
who knows

and who cares
and she paused
and looked at you
and then out to sea

and you looked at her
at her black hair
and the one leg
protruding

from her summer dress
and the one shoe
and white sock
and she breathed in deep

and said
take it all in Kid
this beats
being ******* dead  

and you did
and took in her words
right into your
11year old head.