TO DULWICH BY BUS.

A BOY AND GIRL VISIT A NAN BY BUS IN 1950S LONDON

You'd travelled by bus
to Dulwich
Lydia who wanted
to go by train

sulked as you walked
through various streets
and alleys
(the way your parents took

when they used to
bring you
on Sundays to visit)
to see

your maternal nan
this way I know best
you said
as Lydia po-faced

walked beside you
her hands
in her cardigan pockets
dressed in her green dress

(slightly stained)
knee length
white socks
and black plimsolls

don't like buses
she said
people staring at you
men pressing near you

breathing all over you
well we're here now
you said
you didn’t

have to come
wanted to
she said
even if Mum

didn't know
she still as unsmiling
as you went
by a few shops

and through
a narrow alley
into Tappersfield Road
where Nan lived

up in the corner
terrace house
you rang the bell
and Nan opened the door

hello Benny
how are you?
and who have you brought
to visit your old nan?

this is Lydia
you said
a friend of mine
Nan nodded

and you both
went by her
down the dark passageway
with Nan bringing up the rear

your granddad’s in bed
sleeping
she said
you went through

the small kitchen
into the living room
which was warm
and full of photographs

in frames
and small statues
on shelves
and a bowl of fruit on

a heavy green cloth
on the table
and a fire well lit
take a seat

Nan said
how about a biscuit
and a cuppa
and some fruit cake?

yes please Nan
you said
Lydia nodded
and smiled

and sat in
the huge armchair
by the fireplace
her feet well off

the ground
that's Granddad’s seat
you said
bit like daddy-bear's seat

in Goldilocks
she looked around
the room
then at you

with her anxious eyes
her hands in her lap
her thin straight hair
hanging about her head

never told my mum
where I was going
Lydia said
didn't think she'd let me go

if she knew
best say nothing then
you said
say we went to the park

or to East Street Market
or some such place
she nodded looking
at the fire blazing

even on a sunny day
she talked about how
her big sister
and her mum rowed

that morning
about the boyfriend
staying the night
(Lydia having to sleep

in the small cot-bed)
and who did she think
she was
bringing him home

with her
Lydia continued
mimicking
her mother's voice

briefly
you sat and listened
taking in
her pale features

her hands holding
each other in her lap
the thin arms
I saw your sister

the other evening
with a bloke
wearing a  black shirt
and white tie

and black
and white shoes
and hair greased back
looked quite odd

you said
yes that's him
Lydia said
he was smoking

a thin hand-rolled cigarette
you said
Lydia nodded
then Nan came in

with a tray
with a large teapot
and cups and saucers
and plates

and a big fruit cake
here you are
she said smiling
her eyes lit up

behind her
thin framed spectacles
help yourselves to cake
while I pour the tea

and so you
did the honours
of slicing cake
for all three of you

and Lydia sat
all large eyed
with a huge slice of cake
on a plate

and cup of tea
in Nan's best china
(for guests only)
and you all sat and ate

and talked
and a smile slowly
appeared
on Lydia face

as if she'd been bless
by a good God's grace.