Dave: cartwheeled with his motorbike
Into seven weeks intensive care
And remembers his coma dream
Of a closed coffin, on the glass lid
Clay fists staccato hammering while
He’s inside, a silent scream.
Barry: writes nothing at first,
Refuses the pen of disability,
Instead goes back twenty years
To light welling on a marble floor
In Italy: his once upon a time
And only childhood holiday.
Harry: wheels over for a look,
Loudly remembers his girl who
“Just fucked off but,” into the
Shuffling silence, “that’s women
For you – only one thing that they’re
After!” our laughter pours gratefully.
Derek: a playground where howling
Kids yell crucify the cripple and him
Arms laced through bars hanging
On a roundabout that spun faster
Faster until hear feel see remembers
Puking as I staggered home but
Never told our mam cos she’d not
Let me go out again would have
Been worse do you see?
Kevin Patrick McCann
Illustration Nick Victor
From Still Pondering https://www.amazon.co.uk/Still-Pondering-Kevin-Patrick-McCann/dp/1788768671/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Patrick+McCann+Still+Pondering&qid=1573366856&sr=8-1