A Place for Naming

 From 'A Life in Short Pieces.'

This piece was written for and to my late mother who is never far from my thoughts. My relationship with her was part of my understanding of the relationship between Ruth Kelman and her daughter Alice in my forthcoming novel Becoming Alice. This sometimes vexed  relationship between mothers and daughters is also explored in my recent novel The Bad Child.

This piece is about a christening.

Piece No.2. A Place for Naming

The third of four children,

I slipped out – barely noticed

among the dogs of war

and other fine distractions.

In later years I made you tea,

passed hard examinations –

and wrote so many books

just to warm your heart

and catch your eye.  

I think about the family legend –

you were always heroine of your own tales –

 of me in your arms and you walking

to the church in the snow

– his arm around you.

Both waist deep in snow –

visiting church to rid yourself of sin

and to endow me with

a name made up by the man

who loved lost boys.