My Granny’s House

This wrought iron gate stands protecting a quarry-tiled pathway
The shoe scraper intruding as you pass the front porch
Then the parlour for few to see the light of day

While the sitting room with pouffe resting under the wireless
The scullery with jawbox and folding larder
One gas geyser a mangle my granny’s mess

The upstairs with darkened bedrooms small and damp
To a mattress hugging a metal frame on wheels
Draped lace covering the commode dressed by a gas lamp

Of the back yard was our outside convenience with Victorian closet
A freezing cold hole to spend just the necessary time
As yesterday’s paper left more than the deposit

And of the yard the entry cobbled and dirty wee kids gathering up tattered clothes
Running after the horse and cart man to grab their prize
Two golden goldfish a welcome surprise