It was a warm day
and you were sitting on the lawn
of the nursing home
when Anne came across the lawn
on her crutches
her summer dress
flowing as she moved
come on Skinny Kid
she said
I want to show you something
what?
you said
never mind
what just follow me
and so you got up
from the chair
and followed her
across the lawn
and along the path
that went through the trees
to the back gate
open up the gate then Kid
she said
standing impatiently
while you opened
the gate
you lifted the latch
and opened the gate
and she crutched
her way through
and you followed
letting the gate
swing shut behind you
what you want to show me?
you asked
but she just cursed
and swore under her breath
and moved across
the pavement
and onto the beach
until her crutches
became stuck in the sand
and she stood still
staring out
at the sea
look at that
she said
what?
you asked
the fucking scenery
she said
pointing at the horizon
with one of her crutches
I’ve seen the sea before
you said
yes maybe
she said
but have you let it
embrace you
and hold you? she said
I’ve been in the sea sure
you said
looking at her
beside you
I want to go in
she said
you’ll get your dress wet
you said
I’ve got my swimming costume
under the dress
she said
help me get out
of this bloody dress
and I can go in
what here on the beach?
you said
undress here?
yes here
she said
now unzip me
at the back
so you unzipped
her dress at the back
and she said
now pull it
over my head
so you lifted
the hem of the dress
and began to lift it
over her body until
her dress was in your hands
and she stood
in a bright blue swimsuit
with her stump hanging
where her leg used to be
then she slowly
crutched herself
down to the sea
until she was at
the waters edge
you stood just behind her
holding the dress
right take the crutches
she said
but you’ll fall
you said
I’ll swim
she said
can you swim
with one leg?
you asked
of course
I can fucking swim
with one leg
she said
and handed you
the two crutches
and fell forward
into the sea
where she made
a big splash
and then she was off
into the sea
her leg and stump
out of sight
her arms moving in motion
and you stood there
with dress and crutches
staring at her swimming away
what if you drown?
you called out
but she just sang loudly
her voice mixing
with the sea’s sound
just you and Anne
with no one else around.