A childhood memoir of life before polio, and immediately after, and my magical childhood adventures in and out of a wheelchair
My Sister Josie's Ear
Me in the doorway of Joe’s Plaice and Mrs Russell
who opened up right next door
robbing us of the
only restaurant to sell cockles, whelks, mussels etc.
Amidst the smell
Of fish and chips
Born on the wind
Of fried onions
Travelling up the stairs
Where my sister and I
Shared a bed of shadows.
My parents laboured long and deep
With the clatter of cutlery against dish
Piled high with fried fish.
I was afraid of ghosts
That in my child-mind
Would come and get me!
I asked my elder sister
If she would hold my hand
Whilst I braved the toilet.
She refused.
I threatened to
‘Wee in her ear’
If she didn’t!
Still she refused.
I took careful aim
And fired!
She leapt from the bed
As though scalded
And screamed all the way
Down the stairs,
Clutching her wet ear.
Heavy feet thundered up the stairs.
All thought of ghosts had vanished!
I now regretted my action.
My sister’s ear was soon dry.
Mine stung for days !
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