GOODBYE TO THAT 1955

A BOY AND GIRL IN LONDON IN 1955 AND HER MOTHER

Helen's mother said
how'd you fall
off the swing?

Helen looked at me
I was trying
to reach the clouds

but I fell backwards
Helen said
and banged my head

and the first aid lady
washed it
and cleaned it

and it was just
a little cut
and it stopped bleeding

it is fine now
but I guess
it will be ok

do you think it will?
her mother
looked at me

and said
she's always
falling over

or off things
thank you Benny
for helping her

I can trust you
when she's out
with you

don't know what
she'd do
if you weren't about

her mother said
Helen said
I nearly reached

the clouds
on the swing
my toes just

about touched
the nearest cloud
her mother shook her head

and raised
her eyes skyward
and went

and got baby
from the cot
because he started

to cry
and I said
let's go

to the bomb site
and get stones
for my catapult

ok
Helen said
can I bring

Battered Betty?
ok
I said

so she went
and got her doll
and we went out

Helen giving
her mother
a goodbye shout.