DOING WHAT IN 1955

A GIRL AND HER GRANDMOTHER IN LONDON IN 1955 AND THE RESULTS OF TELLING THE TRUTH

YOU DID WHAT?
Janice's gran shouted
I fired a bow and arrow
Janice repeated

fired a bow and arrow?
Janice nodded
she wasn't going
to repeat it again

she knew her gran
would go off
the deep end
if she told her

but she couldn't
tell a lie
it was too complex
and required

a good memory
but when her gran
asked her where
she'd been and what

she'd been doing
she had to tell the truth
even if  it meant
a spanking

where about?
Gran asked
the bomb site
on Meadow Row

Janice said
doubling her chances
of punishment
what have I told you

about bomb sites?
not to go there
Janice said timidly
who were you with?

Gran asked
eyeing her grand-daughter
with her beady eyes
Benedict

Janice replied
Benedict?
and it was his
bow and arrow?

Janice nodded
and does his mother
know he has one?
yes she gave him

the money for it
Janice said
her gran sat down
on a chair

which indicated
that punishment
was coming
and where did you

fire the arrow?
at a wall
Janice said
what wall?

Gran asked
of a bomb out house
Janice informed
her gran looked

at the floor
then up at Janice again
and why a wall?
Janice hesitated

then said
Benedict drew a man
on the wall
with a head and heart

to aim at
drew a man?
her gran said
with chalk

Janice added
her gran sat back
in the chair
her hands on her knees

Janice knew now
punishment
was certain
and wished she could

stretch the truth
as Benedict was able
her gran sighed
and gazed at her

well you've told the truth
can't punish you for that
but don't do it again
or next time

you'll know
what to expect
Janice took in
a deep breath

and nodded her head
as Gran got up
off the chair
and gave her a sturdy stare.

Author's Note

PHOTO BY COLIN O' BRIEN