ALL SHE HAD
All she had was a couple of candles
        by the side of her bed,
Placed on the old wooden dresser, her
         granny’s so they said.
The flames flickered and danced about
        making funny shapes
Of shadows, the bed knobs looked just
        like dancing apes,
Her china cat’s shadow seemed to
        move to music,
Twisting it’s body this way and that,
        only the candlesticks
Stood still, every other object there
        was doing funny tricks.
She could have used the snuffer to put
        all the shapes out,
But what would they be up to in the dark,
        would they shout
And ask for the candles to be lit again so
        they could have fun?
Ma would be mad in the morning if all
        the candles were gone,
But she had to watch the antics of the shapes
        until play was done,
Or until a child’s need for restful sleep
        had at last won.
No candles next morning all the shapes
        normal as can be,
How can a small china cat in the dark seem
        six foot three!

M Ann Margetson March 4, 2002