19th March 2020

woodland wandering
primaveral narcissi
fade for wild garlic

© Rachel Green 2020

My sister tries to hug me
but I shrug her off
I'm fourteen years old
and too cool for her attentions.
The house is full of people
most of whom I don't know
though my cousins keep to the side
Valerie and Mary
whose car broke down
on the way to the funeral.
I met the latter as an adult
and she was cool, though transphobic.
The neighbours drift in and out,
the front door open
to a summer afternoon in June.
I'm in a suit
having been to school this morning
to take my Maths O level a year early,
and the headmaster shows up
in his Catholic ballgown.
I feel resentment.
It took me two hours and three busses
when he could have given me a lift.
Hours later
and the only visitors left
are my Uncle George and Aunt Betty;
the first time in this house
since his parents died
and he stole all the money.
My father lays his head on the damask table cloth
and cries for his dead wife.

 © Rachel Green 2020