THE SEA SOUND 1959

KIDS AT A NURSING HOME IN 1959 IN ENGLAND

The new nun
wheeled Anne
out of the French windows
and onto the lawn.

To the end table,
Anne said,
where the Kid is.

The nun wheeled
the wheelchair slowly
over the lawn,
past other tables
where children sat
playing Snap,
past the swings and slide,
where kids were gathered,
and on down
to the small white table
at the end
where she stopped.

Hello Benny,
the nun said,
how are you?

I'm fine,
Benny said,
looking at Anne
who pulled a face.

OK Sister you
can go now
prayer time soon.

O so it is,
the nun said,
and turning like
some flapping black crow
she walked off.

Talk about slow,
I could have wheeled
myself quicker,
we were almost past
by a snail back there,
Anne said.

Benny smiled.

Right Kid
I want you
to push me
on to the beach,
we're going to have
a fun time out
and away
from the sick
and dying ones,
we're going to see
the sea and gulls
and throw stones
at the tide
and any gull
that ventures too near.

Ought we to ask
Sister Paul first,
get permission?
Benny said.

Permission?
That's for the weak
and kids,
we do what
we want, Kid,
now are you ready?

Yes sure,
he said,
got some biscuits
from the breakfast table
and a couple
of rolls too.

Good Kid
you're learning,
anyone see you?
Anne said.

No no one,
he said.

Good Kid,
now let's go
before the penguins
see us go.

So Benny got behind
the wheelchair
and began to wheel her
along the path
between the trees
towards the back gate.

A voice called to them,
the young new
nun's voice floated away
as they went out
the back gate
and on to the path
by the sand.

Anne said:
push Kid,
before the nun follows.

So the Kid
pushed faster
and and faster
and down onto
the beach
and making two ridges
in the sand he moved
as fast as his
10 year old legs could go.

Then they came
to a stop
where the sand
held the wheels.

Here will do Kid,
sit beside me a while.

What about stones
to throw?
He asked.

Later Kid,
for now
we watch the sea
and breathe in
the fecking air,
get it into your lungs Kid
this is what life's
about Kid,
fecking breathe.

So he breathed
in the air
and the sea smell
and he smiled.

Anne said:
life is what
you make it Kid,
none of those
penguins around.

He sat and breathed in
the soft air;
he could hear gulls
and the sea sound.