Vincent Parker
The Giant at the Bottom of the Stairs
I knew he was home when the hall-light’s
long foot poked inside my bedroom door.
The house was huge and stuffed with secrets then;
drawers and wardrobes harboured wonders.
I’d crawl across the landing, the carpet shushing.
My brothers were dreaming of breasts in the bunk-beds;
and it was love love love in my sister’s heart-coloured room.
I just wanted to see the giant at the bottom of the stairs
- just wanted to see the light polishing the leather
shoulders of his slumped-from-the-hook donkey jacket,
see him peeling off overalls, his huge boots;
just wanted to hear the radio talk football and rain.
Then it was time to bum downstairs, surprise him,
and grip, two-handed, the dagger of a soldier
he’d specially cut from his toasted crust
so I could burst the blisters on his eggs.
Page(s) 19
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