Valerie

Even when away from her school
Valerie looked immaculate
pleated navy skirt, light blue shirt
different tops but always matching
just like her smile and trainers

she never stopped smiling and her
feet twitched in those trainers

I worked with the older boys upstairs
and Valerie was there
in the middle of a game of tabletennis
there was a bang from the back windows
Valerie was outside standing on the window
ledge with the sash shut and those
trainers were dancing about

I gave a cheery wave now and then
after what seemed a very long time
Valerie rejoined us
I asked Tony to put some stronger
blocks on the sash windows

when we had our little parents day
Valerie came with her dad
he was smaller than her and a
bit tired and old looking and
you could see that she loved her dad
and she was smiling, a little more quietly,
and her feet were still twitching, quietly.