MY GRAN

First published in Unzip Your Lips, Macmillan, 1989

My Gran is
      a giggle-in-the-corner-like-a-child
        kind of Gran

She is
      a put-your-cold-hand-in-my-pocket
      a keep-your-baby-curls-in-my-locket
                kind of Gran

She is
      a make-it-better-with-a-treacle-toffee
      a what-you-need's-a-cup-of-milky-coffee
      a hurry-home-I-love-you-awfully
                kind of Gran

She is
      a butter-ball-for-your-bad-throat
      a stitch-your-doll-a-new-green-coat
      a let's-make-soapy-bubbles-float
      a hold-my-hand-I'm-seasick-in-a-boat
                 kind of Gran

She is
      a toast-your-tootsies-by-the-fire
      a crack-the-wishbone-for-your-heart's-desire
      a ladies-don't-sweat-they-perspire
      a funny-old-fashioned-higgledy-piggledy-lady-to-admire
                kind of Gran

And this lovely grandmother
                is mine, all mine!