David Green
Attic Conversion Conversations
A textbook example of men at work,
my uncle Derek peering down a length of unplaned,
my father using any free time gained
to unbend nails and mend his previous errors.
Derek summons, and I pass, the plasterboard
and, wizard-like, he forms cupboards
from chaos. I am the apprentice, sawing, sweeping,
watching, listening. Hold the saw with your
forefinger out, Son says Derek. Son? My father
fails to notice the complexities: later,
brushing off my thanks like shavings,
I really don’t mind doing this - after all,
you are my heir. In the corner I try
to disguise a parallelogramic door, following
in my father’s steps once more, while Derek
explains timber treatment last century
and father nods as though he knew.
And somehow the pieces fall into place,
gaps are filled, cracks wallpapered. We’ll
paint it blue, and put shelves across mistakes.
Page(s) 52
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