When Helen heard
that Pete Badam
had poked your guts
she said

why’d he do that?
I scored
a home goal
you replied

so? what’s that
got to do
with anything?
she said

he caught me
off guard
you said
I’ll get him back

no
she said
don’t go down
to his level

she gave her doll
Battered Betty
a hug
I don‘t want

our children
to have a father
who’s fighting
all the time

she added
gazing at you
through her
thick lens glasses

no worry
you said
Dave Walker
got Badam

in the guts afterwards
Helen looked at you
horrified
what is it with boys?

fight fight fight
she put Battered Betty
over her shoulder
and patted her back

and walked along
the pavement outside
the ABC cinema
you watched her go

back and forth
the doll moving
over her shoulder
Helen’s blue

cardigan and dress
was lit up
by the lights
from the cinema

and reflected
in her glasses
I didn’t ask Walker
to hit him

you said
he just poked him
in the guts
and walked off

Helen paused her pacing
and looked at you
the doll brought down
into her arms

I don’t want
a violent husband
she said softly
I want you

as you are
that’s fine
you said
but that’s

another time
and tomorrow
as we’re only just nine
and she walked

with you
to the chip shop
in the New Kent Road
to buy six penny’s

worth of chips
and a kiss
on your cheek
from her lips.