how grey the sky, sighs Tom
his legs hurt, his head turns
and so does his broken heart
this hospital's making me ill he moaned,
to Jack whose ears are closed
Jack closed his ears a long time ago
when they told him it would not leave
no, the cancer's here to stay my friend
but you're allowed to keep the past
cherish all the yarns of dream
that you and Mary have spun.
I'll stay with you till the end Jack
as Mary can't handle the pain
now close your eyes and sleep Jack
and let me end the day
tears still come
as the day was the first
when he pushed little Elsie through
but it's a job you see
that he must complete
till the sky turns to blue
forty one years as a mortuary porter
so why does it still hurt
his legs hurt his head hurts
and so does his broken heart.

· Mall Surjit works for the NHS in Birmingham.