Dorothy Nimmo
For All the Saints
They offer him tea and biscuits;
he leaves rings on the french polish and crumbs on the carpet.
They suggest he goes to the night shelter;
he sleeps in the porch and relieves himself in the corner.
They give him a pair of trousers and an old overcoat;
he breaks into the shed. A Stanley knife goes missing.
They lend him five pounds for his ticket to Bristol;
he comes back drunk and breaks the front window.
They say, any time he’s in trouble, just to call them;
he rings the bell repeatedly after midnight.
They forgive as they themselves hope to be forgiven;
he uses obscene language and pulls a knife on them.
They call the Social Services and have him sectioned.
Page(s) 42
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