Survivors

SURVIVORS When my house burnt to the ground And the ashes had cooled, what was left over? I searched for anything left around I found few survivors Often people with only a fragment of verse Will learn it lovingly by heart And keep it for years in a purse Guarding it apart Not whole not pure But feeling precious and secure My survivors from the ruins : The dog; some small hand-made cloth toys; My mother’s silver spoons; And a few photos, mostly my boys. Out of focus - my kids’ - Torn, faded, partly burnt – mum’s dad’s - Swimming dad with crazy wet hair. But no one seemed to care. These were all that remained of the former life Which was ripped away with a fiery knife. I loved them, guarded them, held them dear Clung to them tight for many a year.