MAGDALENE'S DREAM IRELAND 1963

A GIRL IN IRELAND IN 1963 AND HER DREAMS AND REALITY

Magdalene undresses
ready for bed,

her da had moaned about
the record playing on and on,
can you play nothing else?
it's getting on my fecking nerves,

Mary had been at the coffee bar,

spoke about Sister Bridget
and the priest and things said and done,

Mary smelt of scent
(her ma's no doubt)
and Magdalene loves it,

she folds the dress
over the chair by her bed,

red flowers on white cloth,
Ma's choice not mine,

Mags utters, soon be leaving
fecking school, good job too,
get a job, earn me own,
not have Da saying
you cost me with
your clothes and such,

Mary touched my hand
along by the church,
felt its warmth,

Martha has this thing
about crucifixes,
Magdalene muses,
putting on her nightdress,
pink and flannelette,

eyeing the sacred heart of Jesus
on the wall, Ma's da bought it,
staring down eyes on me,
Mags muses, covering up
and getting into bed,

I'll belt you
if you get lippy
her da had said over supper,

just saying,

well don't,
not your place to speak
Da had said,

dark eyed,
his heavy hand on the table,

Mary Mary quite contrary,

the pillow's soft,
scent smell,

wish Mary was here,

Da's voice downstairs
loud and brash,

Ma's voice talking back,

that time he whacked me one
for talking to the boy
outside the store,

lights out,

head resting,

dreams beginning,
if only,

hug me Mary,
hug me tight,

dream on,
night night.