Ward B3

I saw Mel in Ward B3 -

 I knew those beds, those stairs -

I remembered the gentle surgeon -

The joy I'd felt when waking -

Poole Hospital 

July 2026 

After Mavis had gone

Four jigsaws -

Hot Wheels -

The sadness of toys -

The Old School House 

East Stoke 

July 2026 

I still think I'll see you

I still think I'll see you -

Your bright face -

Hear your voice -

I remember stroking your hair -

Refusing to look at my watch -

Saying I love you very much -

The Old School House 

East Stoke 

July 2026 

Their bright hearts

Watching two of my darlings on the mega slide -

Whooping and whirling -

This sky -

Their laughter -

This moment with their bright hearts -

Too soon a memory -

Mega slide

Corfe Mullen

July 2026

When I saw you

When I saw you, I longed to hold you -

You were wearing a green dress -

I'd not seen you wearing a dress before -

I said how lovely you were -

I wanted to say far more -

And, later, we sat in a cafe with another -

And I was silent, looking at you -

Feeling guilt and love -

Java 

Swanage 

July 2026 

An excellent young golfer

I followed Wallace and Peter from green to green -

I felt the cool wind from the bay -

The shape of a memory forming in my hand -

Wallace's smile, his graceful drive -

Peter's words -

The brightness of the sky -

Purbeck Golf Course 

July 2026 

Anne swimming in the river

Anne swam upstream, barely stirring the water -

It was late afternoon -

The river flowing past gardens shaded by old apple trees -

The sun still hot in the cloudless sky -

Swallows flying above the water meadows -

Church bells ringing in the gentle town -

Abbot's Quay 

Wareham 

July 2026