Mary

I look at your awful wedding photos, and shake my head,

whomever took them should never be allowed near a camera again,

and there is your smiling face, so young, and so pleased, 

shining as one does on their wedding day. Such a lovely smile.

And those old scanned photos are a real mess, spots and dirt.

I clean them up, so that you have the nicest wedding photos possible,

now, with a little hope for eternity, for the memory of you.

It’s the least I can do, for you. It’s kind of funny that no one will know,

that I tried to give you the nicest wedding photos possible, all these years

after you are gone. I look at your radiant face on that day and think of you,

and the shit life you had, even that wedding failed you, as he was gay,

and he went away, leaving you alone with two kids. Still, he bought you a house. But, he wasn’t the saviour to take you away from your awful family and all that violence and drunkenness, you delt with, when you 

were so young, bringing up your siblings because your parents 

were ‘otherwise’ engaged. Another failed marriage worse than the first, 

sent you down again. A failed business, took you down again. But you got up, again. Your son died. You got up again.  Then just when you got over everything else, cancer took you away, quite young. What kind of life did you have, I think? I look at your smile now, and try to make it as lovely as it can be, just to remember that small moment of joy, you had, 50 years ago on your wedding day.

The Truth About Husbands, Straight or Gay

Your husband doesn't care what you wear,

because, chances are, when he looks at you

he is picturing you in your knickers, anyway,

so just relax

Miss Naive

When they are young,

and dare I say stupid,

– oh yes, I know, dangerous ground,

but I mean it as young and stupid – 

in this world of inequality,

they are Miss,

strutting through daisy fields,

with baskets on their arms,

and the golden sun overhead.

But once they have been divorced,

and been beaten up by life,

a bit, hopefully not by men,

but probably, possibly – 

you are aware of the world today – 

or been weighed down 

by the second class status,

women have,

they realise they wanna be,

a Ms.

It seems to me to be better equality,

and it’s better that way.

And you know, that is okay,

that’s up to them, as they

are women, and I’m not,

but that doesn’t stop me,

thinking it is odd,

you know,

they still can’t get it from the get go.

Shoes Inside

He who dared to wear his shoes inside

will be beaten until he cried.

This is the life I am denied.

What shoes inside? I'd be chide.

It is madness, I cannot deny,

take your shoes off when you come inside,

my only question is why?

My feet should not be denied.

Me? Shoes inside? Okay I lied.

I cross my feet and hide

them out of sight for this time

the investigation pursues the crime.