NEW DRESS 1940

A BLIND WOMAN IN HOSPITAL AND A NEW DRESS 1940

A gentleman
brought these clothes
in for you Grace
Nurse Kavel says

what clothes?
what gentleman?
I ask
sitting up in the bed
on the ward

new dress and underclothes
and I think he said his name
was Philip Kimberly
Nurse Kavel says

I smell perfume
and disinfect mixed
I hear voices around me

is he here?
I ask

no he brought these
in early this morning
while you were asleep
the nurse says

what colour is the dress?
I ask

red with flowers
and where he got it from
I have no idea
the cost in coupon points  
must have been a lot I guess
the nurse says

where is it?
I ask

I hear her nearby
and she places a dress
in my lap
I feel it and touch
the material with my fingers

I can't see the colour
I say
what kind of red?

blood red and white flowers
she says

I put the dress to my cheek
and sense its softness
and feel the quality

is it nice?
I ask

it's beautiful
the nurse says near me

did he say when
he was coming again?
I ask
wondering what Philip
looked like how he dressed
I only knew his voice
and that was all

he will be in later
to arrange when
to take you out
although he wants to speak
with Dr Symonds first
about you and any risks
I sense doubt in her voice

will I be allowed out to dinner?
I ask

we will make sure the stumps
of your legs are well bandaged
and you are presentable
she says

what's he look like?

Mr Kimberly?

yes I've not seen him before
I say

he's handsome
and well dressed
she says softly

she takes the dress
from my hands
I’ll put the dress away
in your cupboard for safety
she says

and I hear her walk away
and lay there
staring into darkness
hearing voices in the ward
wondering where
he will take me for dinner
and how I will cope in public
without legs or sight
like walking into the coldness
of an out there night.