Poem 'Lilian'

Lilian

We were loved like precious jewels.

Were sung to with a voice so soft

she became the only victim of a lullaby

meant for us tiny two.

And so we sat upon the stair

as Thrush song bubbled from the

landing windows and she lay on our

tiny beds sleeping our sleep;

while dogs barked and street

games were shouted through the top sash.

On it went until our father came to claim his

missing wife and we exploded into our beds.

Eyes screwed so tight it made our teeth hurt,

so asleep he would notice nothing;

dreaming of not being punished.