GOOD MANNERSA Poem by Terry CollettA BOY AND GIRL IN A 1950S NURSING HOMESkinny Kid sat by the white metal table on the lawn Anne sat opposite him her crutches by her chair I heard you puked last night? Anne said I did Skinny kid said all over the blankets and pillowcase nice said Anne it was the liver they made me eat he said I told them it made me ill but they said it was good for me and said I had to eat it serves them right she said Sister Bridget moaned at me he said O her she's got a face on her like a sufferer of haemorrhoids what's haemorrhoids? he asked painful bulging blood vessels hanging from the arse she said he tried not to picture it or see it in the nun's face feel better now though he said good she replied my mum's visiting today he said good for you she said has your mum visited you yet? he asked no I think she's making the most of me not being around Anne said it's a kind of holiday for her me stuck here after my fecking leg was chopped off he stared at the area of her skirt where no leg appeared she saw me in the hospital and brought me grapes and flowers and stuff and a bag of odd socks he stared at her one leg hanging from out of the skirt does it hurt? he asked it does at times and I go to rub it and it isn't there someone's stolen me fecking leg Anne bellowed to the kids playing on the swings and slide on the lawn of the nursing home they looked over at her then quickly looked away a nun nearby shook her head and wagged a finger Skinny Kid looked at the vacant area of skirt again what's the matter Kid want to see my stump? and she hitched up her skirt to reveal the stump of her leg and a glimpse of blue underwear he blushed and looked at his hands in his lap never mind Kid she said good manners is a load of crap. © 2013 Terry Collett |
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Added on December 28, 2013 Last Updated on December 28, 2013 Tags: ONE LEGGED, 1950S, BOY, GIRL AuthorTerry CollettUnited KingdomAboutTerry Collett has been writing since 1971 and published on and off since 1972. He has written poems, plays, and short stories. He is married with eight children and eight grandchildren. on January 27t.. more..Writing
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