#poem #poetry #amwriting #sketchbook #dinner

dinner

under a blue and white tea towel
   secured with a broad brown elastic band
gently steams meat pudding

on the half hour
   the front room clock chimes
and from her parlour chair at tele side

   my grandma goes to peel potatoes
      string handled the peeler chokes with peel
         clean swiped on the floral pinny

at noon the sun passes the kitchen into shadow
   and the taupe gas cooker
   ceases asthmatic blue roaring

buttered suet slides regal onto white enamel plate
   amidst the steam venting through the window
   - clop slop - mash into pale yellow

up rises table flap - tassled green tablecloth
   swish crumbed flat for the brown tea pot
      and the pale green cup and saucer

         and the glass with balloons for squash
as on the doorstep we wait for grandad
    knowing that if he comes from the left we will get sherbet