Nuala lies beside Una
in the small bed
in her bedsit
they had just had ***
and were
lying there smoking
my Ma died
Una says
I got a letter
this morning
o sorry
Nuala says
turning to look at Una
when?
last weekend
couldn't they
have said before this?
Nuala asks
no one talks with me
it was a friend
who wrote to me
and said
Una says
were you close
to your mother?
Nuala asks
no she shut me out
once she found out
I was gay
Una says
how did she died?
cancer like my Da
both heavy smokers
Una says
stubbing out
the cigarette
in the ashtray
by the bed
Nuala takes a quick puff
of her cigarette
and stubs it out
in the same ashtray
leaning across Una
they kiss
then Nuala lies back
beside her again
and hugs her
when's the funeral?
I don't know
can't go anyway
too much trouble
from the others
Una says
that's sad not going
to your ma's funeral
that's how it is
Una says
what was your mother's
last words to you?
go to hell
and she walked out
on me and slammed the door
and I left
Una says
maybe she'd forgiven you
at the end?
Nuala says
no Ma never forgot
nor forgave
she'd not do that
there is silence
birds sing from outside
hum of passing traffic
I'd best go
Brian will be wondering
where I am
Nuala says
she kisses Una's breast
and gets up
and dresses
Una watches
wishes she could stay
and comfort longer
she watches as Nuala
brushes her hair
and stares back at her
in the dressing table mirror
and mouths a kiss
to her lying in bed
and Una keeps it
captured in her hand
and to places it
in her head.
Jul 10, 2016
Jul 10, 2016 at 2:56 AM UTC
Nuala lies beside Una
in the small bed
in her bedsit
they had just had ***
and were
lying there smoking
my Ma died
Una says
I got a letter
this morning
o sorry
Nuala says
turning to look at Una
when?
last weekend
couldn't they
have said before this?
Nuala asks
no one talks with me
it was a friend
who wrote to me
and said
Una says
were you close
to your mother?
Nuala asks
no she shut me out
once she found out
I was gay
Una says
how did she died?
cancer like my Da
both heavy smokers
Una says
stubbing out
the cigarette
in the ashtray
by the bed
Nuala takes a quick puff
of her cigarette
and stubs it out
in the same ashtray
leaning across Una
they kiss
then Nuala lies back
beside her again
and hugs her
when's the funeral?
I don't know
can't go anyway
too much trouble
from the others
Una says
that's sad not going
to your ma's funeral
that's how it is
Una says
what was your mother's
last words to you?
go to hell
and she walked out
on me and slammed the door
and I left
Una says
maybe she'd forgiven you
at the end?
Nuala says
no Ma never forgot
nor forgave
she'd not do that
there is silence
birds sing from outside
hum of passing traffic
I'd best go
Brian will be wondering
where I am
Nuala says
she kisses Una's breast
and gets up
and dresses
Una watches
wishes she could stay
and comfort longer
she watches as Nuala
brushes her hair
and stares back at her
in the dressing table mirror
and mouths a kiss
to her lying in bed
and Una keeps it
captured in her hand
and to places it
in her head.
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