Oath

Oath

by Helen Barter

Paroxysm of rebellion coughed 
into an empty ice cream tub.
Girl, guided by duty, to
promise that I will do my best.
Whose law should I be keeping
if not my own?

Half Term

Half Term

by Helen Barter

I know I am being a pain
but it's half term. 
School's out.
School's been blown to pieces.

Always the thrill of counting down the days.
Always the thrill of expectation.
Always the let down.
Reality.

I know I am being a pain.
It's half term.
I bought smokes for rolling behind the bike shed
with the big boys.

"Get bigger knickers if your pants don't fit."
Always the let down.
I thought I was supposed
to have grown out of nappies.

Clock Cafe at Eleven

Clock Cafe at Eleven

by Helen Barter

Reality is an unexpected companion.

It is here. Clock Cafe at eleven.

Dress considered and make-up applied.

Today there will be no tears.

That's a grain of sand which blew into my eye,

and the pale channels which appear

on my cheeks

are evidence of a turning tide.

Release

Release

By Helen Barter

There is no sense of distance, no sense of time.

The approaching shadow recedes;

pulling a breath deep from within my lungs

exhaled on the turning tide.

Imprisoned within each other, 

we are finally free.

Mother

Mother

by Helen Barter

She recognises in him

A bright openness to

All the possibilities 

Of the world.

But she can't remember

Seeing it in her own children.

She only remembers 

Pushing, forcing down.

Not able to cope with

Another bloody child walking.

Let-down

Let-down

by Helen Barter

Reflex response 

to suckling pig, weaned 

and no longer curious.

Bare breasted

I still ache.