She was due home that afternoon,
Her baby boy a week old now. Mum
Came in, helped her pack -
All the cards she'd keep.
Everyone had smiled to see her
And the baby:
Both doing fine, Mum had said.
Everyone visiting, smiling, laughing, bringing
Cards, flowers, chocolates, enormous teddy-bears,
Wishing her all the best, offering
Help any time.
They got a taxi home. Holding the
Baby-basket she entered the house:
TV off, heating off, unfamiliar, silent.
No 'welcome home' party, no-one to greet her,
No-one to hold him, no-one to help;
Mum put on the kettle, he began to cry:
This was her life.
