Meeting Anne 1959 Poem by Terry Collett

What's your name skinny kid?
Benny. He looked at the girl
in the wheelchair with one leg.

I'll call you Skinny Kid. She
looked past him at other kids
on the lawn and on the swings.

Why you here? she added looking
back at him. Had an operation
and am here for rest. He looked at
her red skirt and the one leg visible.

What happened to your leg? She
pulled up her red skirt and showed
him the stump. Lost it, can't find it
anywhere; have a good gawk, Kid.

He did. Can I touch it? She stared at
him sure why not. He touched her
stump. It feels warm. Look out the
penguins are about. She pulled down
her skirt. The boy looked back at the lawn
and saw a tall nun dressed in black
walk towards them. He sat on one of
the white metal chairs. The nun stopped
by the table and stared at Benny. You are
the new boy? Yes I'm Benny. She nodded.

She gazed at the girl. I hope you are behaving
and not leading Benny astray. Anne looked
at the nun. I always behave Sister Paul.

The nun didn't look convinced. That has yet
to be seen. The nun turned and walked to
the swings and talked to other kids.

That crow is always on my case, Kid,
avoid her like the piles. Benny nodded
and put on one of his good boy smiles.