Home

He looked so tired after breakfast
says the nurse
we put him back to bed.

She presses a button
and my father
rises toward us.

For something to say
mum remembers
that time you stole apples
from Jimmy Snoddy’s garden!

He smiles at her
slyly. He’s saying
nothing.

Outside the window
a bullfinch is feasting
on birch buds.