in the 1950s

 in the 1950s

uncle ben had agoraphobia

uncle teddy double pneumonia

grandpa died without a voice

dr rees said his voice box had turned over 

when auntie hannh was up the sisterhood 

grandpa was my father’s father

he had a hairy vest and a muffler

saw aunty bessie yesterday

aunty ethel smoked woodbines incessantly 

uncles george and leslie were bachelors

all their possibilities were yesterdays

ronnie and davy were in the navy

danny in the merchant navy

big noises in the war my mum said 

gunners both 

but the laugh had been shot down

yes said aunty may yesterday

it seemed like nannas and grandpas

we’re alive and willing to give me a shilling

for some comics in the sweet shop

aunty dylis was as highly strung as a trellis 

uncles walty and willy were very silly

drinkers both and quick with an oath

alcoholics fall over 

ivor had been a commando in the war 

dad said

he would walk through a brick wall 

they all came home to me in 1953

but they are dead now

i tell me nieces and nephews 

here in the 2020s