Stairlift stairlift take me high,
up to where the bluetits fly.
Let me sing & float & laugh
and take me to my walk in bath.

I remember when these cost 50p
and when football on TV was free.
I remember Busby, Finney & Shankly
but I also recall dysentery

Grandad, do you remember steam trains
and bi-planes and the glory of imperialism?
No. I spent most if my life in prison.

I’m 83 you know,
I’ve lived here all my life.
I haven’t always been an old man,
I used to be someones wife.

‘I fought int war’ you told me.
‘You’re 64’ I replied.
‘Well I would have’ you assured me,
‘maybe in the catering corps’.

You all look the same
in Zimmer frame and cloth cap,
and the enviable ability mid conversation
to take a nap.

We met outside the Londis,
you didn’t know your name.
You smelt heavily of biscuits
and moaned about the rain.