Mary Seacole House, Liverpool 8 Poem by Barney Rooney

Mary Seacole
we took your name in honour
of the work we set to do
reminded then that you
had in your time broken
the rules for whom and where
we could nurse and care

Mary Seacole
we took your name to honour
lives lived in commonwealth
with those of lesser health
who but for the care
of our no more important self
sat alone in rooms

Mary Seacole,
we took your name to honour
nephews sisters brothers
fathers nieces mothers
offered sanctuary space
in hope of healing
in a homely place

Mary Seacole
we took your name to honour
our common roots
in our time a Jamaican Scot
would walk with easy feet
in Upper Parliament Street
Liverpool 8