GRACE'S JUST AWAKE HEAD 1940

A BLIND AND LEGLESS WOMAN IN LONDON IN 1940

I remember
it was after
the night dancing
and my legs ached

and we came back
Clive and I to my house
and after a few drinks
we went to bed

and I recall how alive
he made me feel
and I can distinctly
sense him entering me

and o it was so hot
and now it's dark
and my legs ache
and someone

is rubbing them
and I know it is morning
by the rush and bustle
and I am on

the hospital bed
and I'm blind
and my leg stumps
are being rubbed

by someone
a nurse
but why do I feel
so alive?

but I can't see
and feel only
half me
and I can't hold

Clive again as he died
in Dunkirk
and I sense the hands
rubbing my stumps

and the hands are soft
and the darkness
has an encroaching feel
and I want to be

and love still
but am here stuck
on this bed
with countless dreams

and thoughts
in my just awake head.

Reviews

[Glen Weimann]

Hi Terry. Gosh, this is poignant. Beautifully told. The confusion of old sensations and memories with half aware present day ministrations from some carer is very well done. In 1940 there must have been thousands of snatched moments of joy and deep sensuality that all too soon afterwards were all that remained as one or both parties had their life uprooted, ended, horribly maimed. Very evocative. Great work! Nigel

[Terry Collett]

Thank you, Nigel