Anne's Hurt Leg 1959 Poem by Terry Collett

Anne said
her leg stump hurt
and lifted the hem
of her red dress
and showed me.

It was inflamed
best get one
of the nursing nuns
to look at it
I said.

I don't want
those penguins
looking at my stump
she said.

What are you
going to do?
I said.

Don't Kid
wish they'd not
taken my fecking leg off
she said.

She looked back
at the nursing home
from where we were
on the lawn
in the white chairs.

It needs looking at
I said.

Looking at
the fecking thing
ain't going to help
she said
go get that skinny nun
she's best
avoid getting
Sister Paul.

So I ran across the lawn
and into the home
and looked
for the skinny nun
but I couldn't find her.

Sister Bridget
came out of the chapel.

Where's the skinny nun?
I said.

Skinny nun?
Sister Bridget said
that's not polite Benny
do you mean Sister Luke?

I looked past her
at the passageway
yes I think that's
her name
I said.

The nun gazed at me
why do you want her?

I don't but Anne does
I said.

Why does Anne
want her?

I looked at the nun's
broad nose.

Her stump is red
I said.

How do you know?
the nun said.

She showed me
I said.

She showed you
her leg stump?
the nun said frowning.

Yes she said it hurt
and sent me
to get Sister Luke.

I'll come and see
the nun said.

I followed her
out onto the lawn.

Anne wasn't pleased
I could see
by her face.

Just out of reach
she once said
of God's grace.