The estate was built

in nineteen thirty eight

my mother there since nineteen forty one.

My mother came out

for the very last time

my mother came out

through the familiar gate

the one that clicked at

my father's arrival every day

before he finally went on his way..

 

    The black car strangely incongruous

    patiently waited in its own shadow

    while curious neighbours

    stood silently by

    as the weight of settled time

    passed close by.

 

She knew them all

their ups and downs,

their subsequent fates

hung on her neck like trophies.

 

I blessed my time there

thinking of the skip

that would soon come to visit

to fill with tears

for the passing years.