In Memoriam Cecil Darling
I saw you in your hospital bed
Bloody faced and propped
Defiant but embarrassed
The proudest man I’ve known.
We would go everywhere -
Your giant hand holding mine
You came to me on Tuesdays
Ham and piccalilli on floury bread.
You could never be hurt
Invincible in your garden
Tending your strong spring onions
And greenhouse tomatoes
And at your bedside,
On Vickers ward,
I was counting the Tuesdays
That we might have left