His face seemed to sag - <br />after the stroke. <br /> <br />He'd been a real stunner too, <br />a Cary Grant look-alike <br />with dark fizzy curls <br />Brillcreamed <br />into corrugated order. <br /> <br />'He was the only one of us <br />I saw mother cuddle' <br />mum used to say. <br /> <br />But 'something happened' <br />at boarding school <br />and he 'went quiet' <br />and ran away. <br /> <br />Joined the navy <br />during the war. <br />Married his 'Jeanie <br />with the Light Brown Hair' <br />who drank and smoked <br />at bright parties <br />where Tissie sang <br />and charmed. <br /> <br />A handsome couple - <br />they loved <br />and hated <br />each other <br />in equal measure. <br /> <br />After the stroke <br />he grew happier somehow. <br />Enjoyed his disability pension <br />and made furniture <br />with his good arm. <br />Turned many a stick of old cedar <br />into a chest of drawers. <br /> <br />Never sang again though... <br /> <br />He was well into his eighties <br />when he died. <br />Took his secret with him.<br /><br />Alison Cassidy<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/uncle-tissie-s-secret/
