Surfleet Seas End Copyright © Colin Whyles 2012

Twenty is a small hamlet halfway between Spalding and Bourne in Lincolnshire.

In this recently ploughed field
was born my Mother
and her twin brother, George,
hidden by walls of modest red bricks
raising their gaze to the heavens,
cradled by sturdy wooden floors
groaning furtively in sympathy
with Mother's mewling,
demanding food and comfort.

A fragile slate roof folded
its protective hands over
her grandmother's house,
to hide her discomfort from the skies.
Grandmother, mother and
babes each laboured
in their different ways;
labour that had defeated George.

Mother has outlived the red bricks
of Surfleet Seas End,
the land returned to farming,
unlike herself, who preferred
to go into service
like her father before her.

He lodged in the tiny cottage
that still survives on the first bend
between Surfleet and Spalding,
until he walked to his new job
and became a hossman
at Twenty to giant Shire horses
that dwarfed his diminutive frame.

At age 14 Mother and her younger sister
would cycle the 10 miles from Twenty,
to work for their grandmother
at Surfleet Seas End,
then back again.

Now, 92 years on
from her first complaints
at the gift of life,
food and comfort is still demanded.
These days, no grandchildren
are expected to cycle 10 miles
to attend to their grandparent.

Professional care is called upon
- and paid for.