Like Puffing Billy <br />under full steam, <br />you chuff and chug <br />your way into the shower. <br /> <br />At high speed <br />you shed your clothes, <br />revealing battle marks of recent surgery <br />that join those now long faded, <br />when bottles, bikes <br />and boxing gloves <br />made their indelible stamp. <br /> <br />You stand under the water, <br />cursing, when the new control refuses to obey - <br />‘What’s the matter with this stupid thing? ” <br />and lather your body <br />compulsively, <br />belligerently, <br />as if soap and water <br />might somehow wash away <br />the helplessness you hate so hard. <br /> <br />I scrub your back <br />‘Yes please…’ <br />and wash your pretty feet. <br />The steam fogs up my glasses. <br /> <br />Your skin is smooth as soap, <br />your buttocks, freckle-cheeked <br />(and sexy still at seventy eight) . <br /> <br />I notice your fresh clothes <br />(old habits never die) <br />laid out in regimental order <br />on the bed - <br />shoes carefully polished, <br />socks folded just the way mum used to. <br /> <br />I help you dress, trim your mo’ <br />and comb your hair. <br />Your good hand squeezes me cheekily on the bum <br />‘My poor little girl. <br />Fancy being stuck with an old cripple.’ <br /> <br /> <br />Oh my darling, you don't know the half of it...<br /><br />Alison Cassidy<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/full-steam-ahead-for-jerry/
