Hey Kid
Anne says
Benny follows
to where
she calls him
what is it?
he asks
go get my chair
your wheel chair?
yes my wheel chair
what other kind
of chair do I have
ok
he says
and goes off
over the green lawn
passing kids
on the swing and slide
pass the skinny nun
who has just come
whom Anne says
looks like a clarinet
she's so thin
in through
the French windows
passing a girl
who has ****** burns
but who manages
to smile at him
in down the hall
into the girl's dormitory
and takes hold
of Anne's wheel chair
and is just about he
to wheel it out
when Sister Blaise
stops him
where are you going
with that Benny?
she asks
he looks at the nun
with her stern features
and icy blue eyes
it's for Anne
he says
did she ask you
to get it?
he looks at
the crucifix
on the wall
behind the nun's head
no I saw she was
struggling
and thought it best
to bring it to her
he says
taking in
the Crucified's head
leaning to one side
eyes half open
as if He were
looking at him
is that the truth?
the nun asks
he nods
and puts on
his Mr Innocent face
all right off you go
she says
eyeing him
as he wheels the chair
along the passageway
and out through
the French windows
and across the lawn
at full belt
until he comes
to where Anne stands
propped painfully
on her crutches
any problems?
she asks
no
he replies
trying to get
the nun's
icy blue stare
out of his eyes.
A BOY IN A NURSING HOME IN 1959.
