I want you
to wash my back
Skinny Kid
Anne said

she was standing
on her one leg
in the bathroom
of the nursing home

at Fishbourne
but what if someone comes
and sees me here?
you asked anxiously

we'll tell them to *******
she said pushing
the door shut
with a hand almost

falling over
in the process
you looked at her there
in a white towelling gown

the one leg showing
where the gown ended
Sister Paul
ran the bathwater

but left me
to get in and out
but what if she comes back?
you said

she won't
she gone off to prayers
in the chapel
Anne said

now come on Kid
let's to action
and she stripped off
the gown and holding

on your arm eased
herself into the water
with a slight splash
you stood there

trying not to notice
her *******
gazing at the white tiles
with ducks on each one

at the curtains
white and flowered
she began to wash herself
with a pink sponge

oozing soapsuds
her hand moving swiftly
over her parts
here and there

her stump visible
just under
the water's skin
does your leg hurt?

you asked
she looked up at you
now and then
she said

some nights
it hurts like ****
and when I go to rub it
it isn't there

now stop gawking
and start to rub my back
you took the sponge
from her hand

and began to push
the sponge over
her back nervously
her dark hair

over her shoulders
her head downward
her hands pushed
between her thighs

you felt embarrassed
moving over her flesh
seeing the curves
of her waist

sensing the sponge
wash over her
under her arms
you moved

OK OK that's enough
she said who do you think
you are
some ****** explorer?

I got carried away
you said
you will get carried away
in a fecking coffin

she said
right listen out
for the *** starved nuns
you gave her back

the sponge and wiped
your hands on the towel
by the bath
your ears strained

to hear any footsteps
of nuns
you lowered your arm
so Anne could pull

herself up and out
of the bath
and you wrapped
the big towel about her

shall I go now?
you asked
no
she said

stay until I’m done
in case if fall
so you stayed
looking at the walls

and ceiling
and the bath
with the ***** water
seeing out

of the corner
of your young boy's eyes
her rubbing herself dry
with one hand

while with the other
holding on to wall
just in case she slipped
or began to fall

then just as she turned around
you heard footsteps
and voices
out in the hall.