There's a baby crying
from another room
a dog barking
from across the road
Helen opens her eyes
to her bedroom
her mind focuses
as much
it can
in morning's light
her younger sister
sleeps next to
her mouth open
eyes closed
hands resting on top
of the blanket
what day is it?
Helen asks herself
she calculates
Saturday yes Saturday
she smiles
no need to get up
just yet
she turns away
from her sister
and looks
at the wall
at her side
with green flowered
wall paper
torn in places
where her sister
has ripped it
she has to ask her mum
about the cinema
Benny said to go
but she wasn't sure
her mum would let her
or could afford
for her to go
I'll pay for you
Benny had said
the previous day
at school
I've got some
pocket money still
but she couldn't
just say yes
without her mum
knowing or agreeing
she sits up
and looks
at her sister sleeping
and gets up
and stands
on the cold floor
and goes to the window
and looks out
her mum is up
and in the kitchen
she can hear
saucepans being used
and her mum talking
she gets out of her bedroom
and along
to the kitchen/wash-room
what's got you out of bed
on a Saturday?
her mum asks
making porridge
Benny's going
to the cinema
and asked me to go
Helen says
pretending
lack of interest
does he now
and what
did you say?
Helen looks
at her mum's
broad beam
of backside
and tight
head of curls
said I'd ask you
Helen replies
did you now
well now you've asked
Helen waits
unsure of the answer
how much is it
to the cinema then?
Benny said
it's 6d
he did say he'd pay
but I said
I wasn't going to
accept his charity
(she hadn't
but it sounded good)
don't be too proud
of charity girl
you may need it
one day
her mum says
can I go?
her mum stirs
the saucepan of porridge
ok
but don't
make a habit of it
I'm not made
of money
Helen beams
and hugs her mum's
wide waist
and kisses her hip
get on with you
and get washed
and dressed
her mum says
and Helen
full of happiness
take off her nightgown
and washes
in the sink
of soapy water
her thoughts racing
around her head
like a cat chasing
a mouse
all over
a large
many roomed
house.
Feb 9, 2015
Feb 9, 2015 at 2:28 AM UTC
There's a baby crying
from another room
a dog barking
from across the road
Helen opens her eyes
to her bedroom
her mind focuses
as much
it can
in morning's light
her younger sister
sleeps next to
her mouth open
eyes closed
hands resting on top
of the blanket
what day is it?
Helen asks herself
she calculates
Saturday yes Saturday
she smiles
no need to get up
just yet
she turns away
from her sister
and looks
at the wall
at her side
with green flowered
wall paper
torn in places
where her sister
has ripped it
she has to ask her mum
about the cinema
Benny said to go
but she wasn't sure
her mum would let her
or could afford
for her to go
I'll pay for you
Benny had said
the previous day
at school
I've got some
pocket money still
but she couldn't
just say yes
without her mum
knowing or agreeing
she sits up
and looks
at her sister sleeping
and gets up
and stands
on the cold floor
and goes to the window
and looks out
her mum is up
and in the kitchen
she can hear
saucepans being used
and her mum talking
she gets out of her bedroom
and along
to the kitchen/wash-room
what's got you out of bed
on a Saturday?
her mum asks
making porridge
Benny's going
to the cinema
and asked me to go
Helen says
pretending
lack of interest
does he now
and what
did you say?
Helen looks
at her mum's
broad beam
of backside
and tight
head of curls
said I'd ask you
Helen replies
did you now
well now you've asked
Helen waits
unsure of the answer
how much is it
to the cinema then?
Benny said
it's 6d
he did say he'd pay
but I said
I wasn't going to
accept his charity
(she hadn't
but it sounded good)
don't be too proud
of charity girl
you may need it
one day
her mum says
can I go?
her mum stirs
the saucepan of porridge
ok
but don't
make a habit of it
I'm not made
of money
Helen beams
and hugs her mum's
wide waist
and kisses her hip
get on with you
and get washed
and dressed
her mum says
and Helen
full of happiness
take off her nightgown
and washes
in the sink
of soapy water
her thoughts racing
around her head
like a cat chasing
a mouse
all over
a large
many roomed
house.
A GIRL AND HER MUM IN LONDON IN 1956
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