To The Northen Girl

To the northern girl
at Nottingham university.
Who was offered a place to do a PHD.
Who didn’t have a boyfriend
until she was twenty two.
Who had friends close
and few.
Who thought my father
was pompous, rude, arrogant.
A woman that is firm and frank
in what she says,
frowning at modern teenage ways.
Never believed when we were ill,
Awquardly tried to talk to me about the pill.
Told me I couldn’t be sad
when shitty relationships went bad.
Keep calm and carry on
no sympathy I ever got from
you

To my foundation
To my walls
To my roof
And to my floor

A woman strange to some.
That woman. That is my mum.

Nic x