Sestina For Seven Characters Poem by Martin McLean

(Woman to child)
Sweetheart, sit by me while you eat your food
We must take care of your little body
My child- healthy and happy- is what I desire.
Take your coat to keep you warm
Give mummy a hug
Three kisses and all my love.

(She to husband)
You know conjugal rights means making love.
You’re only concerned about this evening’s food.
Then you’ll be off without even a hug.
Your breakfast’s ready but hardly warm
Me cooking for those people- next time, over my dead body.
This dinner party is the last thing I desire.

(She on her secret phone)
I need you to satisfy my aching desire.
Ours is a very special kind of love.
You alone can keep my womanly needs warm.
I hunger for you, for that food
That you only give my starving body.
For now, just imagine our very first hug.

(She and her father)
Let me give you what you gave your baby girl, a comforting hug.
Now your wellbeing is my first desire.
How can you so mistreat your aging body.
What survives all between parent and child is love.
You are by yourself in a house with no food
So take care of yourself and do keep warm.
(
She and old student friend)
Remember those student days. We didn’t eat. Hardly kept warm.
All that gone- just a husband who cannot even manage a hug.
I need new season salmon trout. A sexless marriage. Just food.
You’re blooming. Doesn’t look like you nurse unacted desire.
Still into Blake? Its strictly off piste. And not really love.
Something to keep the blood moving round the body.

(She and fishmonger)
Fish, my lady? Give extra sheen to your body.
Keeping your favourite one close and warm.
Please sir. Can you fulfil my maiden’s greatest love
Salmon trout? You have some? My hero. Let me give you a hug.
Just for you. Caught this morning. All the heart could desire.
At least I’ve found a real aristocrat in food.

(She and child)
Mummy you’ve said love and the same five other words to every body
Why? You keep warm while I cook the food.
Words mean whatever you desire them to mean. Now give me a big hug