Read All About It

Doesn’t happen – not to a boy like me;
‘born on the wrong side of the sheets’,
as Mum said they used to say in the ‘old days’.
Funny how it is though; just thinking
of her makes me smile.

What a fantastic mum she was
to the four of us...all girls, except
yours truly, of course. She worked
like stink to feed and clothe us;
never did settle down with anyone –
not what you’d call permanent-like.

They all slung their hooks – eventually.
Us kids became her life; she saw us right.
Any road, it didn’t bother me, nor my sisters.
Speaking of which, I’m glad she never had
no more boys; they might have finished up
losers – just like I was, in the end.

Today, looking over her trembling shoulder,
wanting to kiss her tears away – to touch
her cheek that suddenly looks so old,
I see I made it; I hit the fucking headlines!
‘Not bad going – eh, Mum? Even though
I say it myself. Bet you’re proud of me now.

‘The Hundredth British Soldier This Year
Dies in Helmand Province’.

What’s up? No smiles for your famous son?