Wound And Reward 1955 Poem by Terry Collett

Helen fell over
in the park
and cut her hand.

I took her
to the first aid lady
in the little hut
at the park entrance.

How did
you do it?

I feel off
the swing.

She dab the cut
with yellow stinky stuff.

Helen winced
screwed up
her face.

Who is he?
She said
looking at me.

He's my friend Benny
Helen said.

Didn't push her off
I suppose?

No he didn't
Helen said
I fell.

Why would I
push her off?
she's my friend
I said.

You never know
what kids'll do
around here
the woman said
gazing at me sternly.

After dabbing
the cut clean
she wrapped
a bandaged
around it
and stuck it down
with pink plaster.

That should
keep it clean
best show
your mother
when you get home
the woman said
now shoo
I have other things
to do.

We walked
out the hut.

Helen looking at
her bandaged hand.

Shall we go
home now?
she said.

Sure if you like
I said.

We walked out
the park
and along
Bath Terrace.

Helen said
Mrs Knight's new kitten
tried to escape
but it had crept
into Helen's parent's flat
and they took it back.

When we got
to Helen's flat
she showed her mother
the bandaged hand
and explained
what happened.

Her mother said
good boy Benny
and gave me
a glass of lemonade
and a biscuit or two.

What else
was a 7 year old
boy to do?