Poetry Magazines - The best collection of poetry magazines online - Simon Armitage

Poetry Library Southbank Centre - The Poetry Library housing the Arts Council Collection at Southbank Centre

« Previous item
Contents of this issue
Next item »

Jacqueline Karp Gendre

print this page

Family Visit

In on the ferry at six,
reached Weymouth by eight;
even St John’s church was shut
on Bank Holiday Monday.

Only the Parks and Cemeteries man
was up, sweeping the litter
in the round garden
by the Cresta flats, Vacancies.

The florist was closed; the grocer
sold geraniums, but you hated
their scent. At the petrol station
bought you each a pre-packed bouquet.

The road to the old cemetery
has changed, new harbour bridge -
but found the Public Library
we passed for Naina’s funeral.

There’s a sycamore sprouting up
through her grave now,
I couldn’t yank it out.
What should I do about that?

Her cross is yellow with lichen,
scraped and weeded what I could.
Shoes ruined. Had forgotten Dorset clay.
Put my walking boots on to see you.

But where had you gone, Ma?
Went all round the crematorium,
read every rosebush plaque.
It was plot F9, wasn’t it?

I know you’ll laugh! Could I really
have forgotten to renew you?
Threw your pinks into the centre
of bed F. Hope you found them.

 

Page(s) 12-13

Back to top