Catrin

I can remember you, child, As I stood in a hot, white Past tense – reader immediately knows this person has either gone or changed Room is uncomfortable and soulless Poet talking directly to her child I can remember you, child, As I stood in a hot, white Room at the window watching The people and cars taking Turn at the traffic lights. I can remember you, our first Fierce confrontation, the tight Red rope of love which we both Fought over. It was a square Environmental blank, disinfected Of paintings or toys. Birth – the pair were fighting even before she was born Metaphor – the umbilical cord – the love bond between them The room is sterile and emotionless – contrasts with the struggle she experiences

All over the walls with my Words, coloured the clean squares Oxymoron emphasises the contrast in emotions the relationship can bring Could be a metaphor to show the words she screams while in labour, filling the room I wrote All over the walls with my Words, coloured the clean squares With the wild, tender circles Of our struggle to become Separate. We want, we shouted, To be two, to be ourselves. Birth is a struggle for the mother and the child

Neither won nor lost the struggle Metaphor of a fish bowl to show the emotions they have experienced in their relationship As though their relationship starts on neutral terms Neither won nor lost the struggle In the glass tank clouded with feelings Which changed us both. Still I am fighting You off, as you stand there With your straight, strong, long Brown hair and your rosy, Defiant glare, Time has changed but they still fight Alliteration and rhyme emphasise the girl’s defiance and her mother’s admiration of her

From the heart’s pool that old rope, Tightening about my life, The metaphor for the umbilical cord again – they are still connected and daughter still tries to break free bringing up From the heart’s pool that old rope, Tightening about my life, Trailing love and conflict, As you ask may you skate In the dark, for one more hour. Juxtaposition between love and conflict – parent must fight with daughter because she loves her

How does it link to the other poems? Conflict – “Parade’s End”; “Belfast Confetti”; “Our Sharpeville” Adult/child relationship – “Our Sharpeville” Pain – “Exposure”