It's Only Me, Mrs. Jenkins

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Sun, 11 Oct 2015
  • 2770 reads
6 comments
 
It’s a programme on TV, Mrs. Jenkins,
cops and robbers. No need to be afraid,
or upset.  It’s just a film, it’s not real life.
 
Here...let me wipe your eyes...or I would do
if I could find a blessed tissue. 
 
You need the toilet, Mrs. Jenkins? Except
 it seems you couldn’t wait. Saw your red light
flashing, but I was finishing my tea...
 
Stone cold it got at that.  No problem,
Mrs. Jenkins.  We’ll sort you out.
I’ll soon have you nice and dry again.
 
Are these your photos, Mrs. Jenkins?
Mind if a take a peek?
 
Who’s the man in the hat?  Your son
maybe, or your husband?
 
Is this the house you were brought up in?
Somewhere in London, it looks like.
 
The East End...Peckham, Bermondsey?
Timbuktu...possibly?
 
And that woman by the door, was that your mum?
That your cat in her arms?
 
My giddy aunt, you don’t see that these days;
pinafores, a thing of the past, and all hand sewn 
I shouldn’t wonder!
 
And that beautiful young woman, all dolled up
in cap and gown. Would that be you by any chance?
Wouldn’t have thought you’d got it in you.
 
Just goes to show.  Guess it’s true what they say,
‘Can’t judge a book by its cover’.
 
You look a little lost, Mrs. Jenkins.
 
Stands to reason; so would I be…
if I’d forgotten to remember
who I was.
Certificate 12
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Made me cry. I often think of what my grandfather went through with his home help and his days in a home. Maybe I've coloured this too much with me but I couldn't stand the nosey, gabbing narrator you've created here. Great work.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

My heart went out to you, lc...difficult, as it was for me to write this.  I wish I could say it was just a one off...the experiences that inspired its writing, but, sadly, not.  

Maybe I, too have 'coloured this too much with me'  but we, each of us, have our own unique perspective, and it is purely by sharing that perspective, we can, hopefully, make much needed changes to that seemingly invincible satus quo.

 

 

Submitted by love_writing on

Very believable voice, can imagine that sort of character. I like the unanswered questions - the contrast between the 'nosy' character and the 'silent' Mrs Jenkins. Most poignant. 

love_writing

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, so much, lw.  Unfailingly you get right to the heart of the matter. 

Tina

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Such a mixture of taking time and interest that seems it could so easily be good, only to be spoilt by thoughtlessness and what seems like a real disinterest. Can only say our experiences have been very good in a number of places now with both my in-laws. It is hard to know how to stimulate and show respect when there is no response, but if some staff are able to give a lead … Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hello there, Rhiannon.  You have picked up entirely what I endeavoured to get across to the reader.  As you say, from the interest perspective of the narrator, this could so easily have been for the good, but for the accompanying thoughtlessness.  I guess proper staff training is the keyword here.

I am more than encouraged that you have had good experiences with your in-lawssmiley

Many, many thanks.

Tina.