Moments of Importance

The ochre light of the sun hugs your face through the windscreen as you smile in a way that gives the warmth of the day competition. Scenery of greens and blues and mountains and sheep fly past behind your head out the driver’s window, and it’s as though the music takes over. I hear nothing you say but I can count the lines around your mouth and the glints in your eyes. Then like that – it’s over; I can recall nothing you said or did but this image in my mind where your face convinced me magic exists in this world.

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The seven blood hounds

I met Dai on Fabian Way

He had a flask, tea he’d say

Quick he moved, his purpose grim

Did not stop, they were after him

Who they were, I could not see.

And when I did, they were after me.

Across the bridge, up Castle Way

Lord above, too late to pray.

Out in front, a shadow rode.

On a bike, with a cursed load.

Saint Andere, but nor for hire.

A dreadful stare, and spat hell fire.

Down the hill, towards the sea.

Smelt their breath, near Anna Quay.

I will no lie, no perjury

There at last, Marina Surgery.

The wait was long, that much was true.

We were many, the doctors few.

Dr Faustus and Dr Soul

Annual check-ups were never dull.

Apologies to Shelley!

The Way Back

It brought tears to my eyes when the hospital staff clapped my Dad’s discharge from hospital.  My Mum and I clung onto each side of the wheelchair as the porter wheeled Dad out. As we neared our house, all of our friends and neighbours had turned out to welcome Dad back, cheering our return.

It was a moment that Mum and I didn’t think would happen.  The last two months were our private nightmares, each of us afraid to answer the phone, expecting the worst.  But now, finally my Dad had come home. 

Mum and I would never forgive ourselves, blaming his symptoms on man flu.  It was Dad himself who had phoned the doctor in the end.  I was surprised they even had his medical records, I don’t ever recall him seeing the Doctor.  The ambulance had been at the door within twenty minutes.  They took dad off leaving the two of us bewildered on the doorstep.  I didn’t see my Dad again for twelve long weeks.

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