Not Be Late Poem by Terry Collett

O guess what I've heard
Anne said
that fat nun
the one with moustache
well she's leaving

I looked at Anne
her one leg swinging
as she talked
the stump of the other leg
hidden by her red skirt
where's she going?

God knows
and he's not said
maybe she's going
to be a missionary
or join the Tiller Girls
and dance for a living

I smiled
the other kids
were on the lawn
on the slide or swing
some were on the grass
playing or sitting talking
Sister Bridget was talking
to the tiny Sad girl

Anne gazed at them
get me out of here Kid
the sight of them
makes me
want to throw up

where to?
I asked

the beach
yes along by the beach
let me see the sea
she said

I sat there looking
at her wheelchair
now?

yes now Kid
I want out of here

I looked over
at Sister Bridget the nun
what if she sees me
pushing you out
the back gate?

let her see what
she wants
I want to see
the fecking sea
she put on her
Don't Argue With Me face

Ok
I said
and got up
from the chair
and began pushing
the wheelchair
on to the path
leading away
from the nursing home
to the back gate

she wasn't heavy
but I was not over big
and thin
as a fag paper

where are you going?
the nun asked
coming over
to where we were

the Kid here
is taking me
for a short jaunt

where to?

just the end of the garden
through the avenue of trees
I said
see the birds and flowers

the nun looked at Anne
is that right?
she asked

would he lie?
Anne said

the nun looked at me
her dark eyes
peering through me
I tried to look innocent

well don't be long
lunch will be at 1pm
then it's afternoon sleep

Anne said nothing
put on her
lost little girl features

ok Sister

the nun walked off
I pushed on

keep an eye
on the penguin
don't think she bought
the tale

I pushed her along the path
between the trees

is she looking?

no
I said
she's gone in

good let's get a move on
to the sea Kid
to the sea

so I pushed her on
through the gate
hoping we wouldn't be long
and not be late.