The daughter-in-law is called in
-the old woman's blanket must be moved 
an inch to the left-
ah but, things can never be put right
and knowing that, she'll try
as if a winning ticket is to be found
under this or that pile of papers.
Before returning to the laundry
she'll assay the tea ceremony
(the perfect recipe, that infernal chimera,
 sits just out of reach)
oh, and it'll never be right.
Knowing that, she stews with care
and sensibly posts cups and biscuits
among senseless clutter. 
She opens with a gambit about the old days. 
"Who was the girl in that Norman Wisdom film?"
They both can talk, no question about that!
Where windows are closed 
to prevent a mid-summer chill
both still hear the racetrack.
The old stories come out
replete with old saws
tangles of laughter and tears.
Many well loved repeats
some whispered secrets shared
they really are thick as thieves.
It's the laughs and the love
they rejoice in, they'll remember. 
They know full well
it's the laughs and the love
that make ever-present pain fly away
like a little bird.
Like a doctor's tablet can never do.