We grin & grimace <br />dropp candle wax onto our fingertips <br /> <br />as the storm <br />rattles our window pane <br /> <br />angry that we won’t let it in. <br /> <br />All night <br />it rages <br /> <br />toppling chimney <br />pots with a crash <br /> <br />smashing slates <br />it strips from rooftops <br /> <br />as we safe <br />giggle & peel off <br /> <br />our waxen <br />fingerprints <br /> <br />hold them <br />(tiny whirlpools) <br />in our palms <br /> <br />those whorls <br />of self <br /> <br />unique to each. <br /> <br />I wearing my sister’s <br />fingerprints <br /> <br />she... wearing mine. <br /> <br />******* <br /> <br />SKIN & BLISTER is Cockney rhyming slang for sister. We were so close we could have worn each other fingerprints and as a little boy I was delighted to do so. I was her and me was she. This I guess is something we did to amuse ourselves before...telly arrived. <br /> <br />******* <br /> <br />SISTER & BROTHER(for Lyn) <br /> <br />Mum expecting sister <br />lets me listen <br /> <br />to her <br />bump. <br /> <br />I put my finger on <br />(just where you are) <br /> <br />& you kick it <br />(pause) ...kick it! <br /> <br />Wicked! <br /> <br />Now you stare <br />up at me <br /> <br />Blind as anything <br />clinging on to <br />my little finger <br /> <br />for dear life <br /> <br />& come up <br />with it <br /> <br />Such a grip! <br /> <br />Such a neat trick! <br /> <br />I put you <br />‘gainst my shoulder <br /> <br />...pat. <br /> <br />“There, there…pet! ” <br />& you burp <br />all down my back. <br /> <br /> <br />S**t <br /> <br />I even get to change <br />your nappy! <br /> <br />You bicycle <br />in mid air <br /> <br />& just when <br />it’s on <br /> <br />you <br /> <br />wee wee yet again <br />& gurgle. <br /> <br />We laugh <br />sister & brother.<br /><br />Dónall Dempsey<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/skin-blister-for-miss-s/
