Watching Mother 1960 (Poem) Poem by Terry Collett

My mother
was rolling out pastry
for an apple pie
in the kitchen.

The rolling-pin
eased over
by her palms.

She looked tired.

The apples
had been cooked
and were cooling down
on the stove.

I watched her.

My sister had
taken the two babies
out in the pram.

My kid brother
was playing with toys
in the other room.

Can I have
the apple peelings
to eat?
I asked.

If you like
she said
pausing and looking
at me.

She placed
the pastry bottom
into a pie dish
and spooned apples in.

I ate the apple peelings
watching her skill.

She placed the top
of the pastry
over the apples
and smoothed it over
and the kinked
around the top
until a pattern
had formed neatly
all around.

Open the oven door
for me
she said.

I opened the oven door
and she placed
the apple pie
onto a shelf
then closed the door.

That's that done
she said.

She looked worn out
and her face was red.