ANNE AND THE SEA.

[dadio]

Anne hand pushed
her wheelchair
along the avenue of trees

towards the back gate
that led to the beach
and she saw you

standing by the gate
peering over at the sea
Hey skinny kid

push me out
towards the beach
and you turned round

and got behind her
and pushed her
out of the gate

and onto the edge
where the beach began
and she sat there

staring out
at the incoming tide
and you stood behind her

your hands on the handles
I used to swim quite well once
she said suddenly

Until I lost
my fucking leg
and she swore on

the words frightening
nearby gulls
and you said

You’ll swim again one day
when you feel up to it
I’m sure people swim

with one leg
and she turned round
and stared at you

and said
Who made you
the expert?

You know jackshit
and she turned away
and spat on the sand

beside the wheelchair
and you looked at the way
her dark hair

was caught by the wind
off the beach
and her white blouse

flapped like a small sail
and you leaned over
her shoulder

and kissed her cheek
and she giggled
and said

Get off you sad sod
and push me closer
to the sea

and you heaved her
forward over the sand
the wheels slowly sinking

as you went
until you came to a stopped
a stones throw

from the incoming tide
and she held out
her hand like King Canute

and bellowed
Hold back
you pissed in sea

and you laughed
and after a few moments cursing
so did she.