Yiska's Request 1962 Poem by Terry Collett

Can I bring Benedict
home lunchtime?
Yiska said
to her mother.

Her mother
was at the sink
washing up
the breakfast things.

Yiska was getting ready
to go to school.

This lunchtime?
the mother said.

Yes if possible
Yiska said.

She looked at
her mother's shoulders
which we stooped.

The fake pearl necklace
she wore round her neck.

I expect so
the mother said
but he'll have to eat
whatever I have.

He don't mind
what he has
Yiska said
wishing her mother
was out so she
could bring
Benedict home
and they could
maybe do things.

Although she wasn't
quite sure about it.

All right then
but don't make
a habit of it
the mother said wearily.

I won't
Yiska said
although she wished
she could bring him
home most days.

Best get off
to school
the mother said.

See you lunchtime
Yiska said.

Her mother
offered her cheek
which Yiska kissed
sensing the make-up
on her lips.

Once out of sight
in the passageway
she brushed it away
ready to begin her day.