At The Care Home

Sometimes, your memories are the race cars 

of your youth, speeding around

a looping track with no destination,

impossible to catch. 

Sometimes, a first bicycle with the stabilisers

off, a caring hand supporting from behind

while you try to find your balance, shouting

don’t let go,

don't let go,

don't let go!

Other days, they are the long haul lorries

that you used to drive, bleary eyed

on the motorway, diligently

delivering what had to be 

delivered to wherever 

it had to go, desperate 

to get home to your gran,

wait, what were we 

talking about again? 

Today, we are strolling in an autumn garden, 

mindful not to step on the small fires

of the cyclamen, heeding the twilight call 

of the blackbird. You tell me about the

pudding at lunch, 

very good it was, too,

just like your gran 

used to make. 

Well, anyway, 

it’s nice to meet you, 

I must be going now, 

it's almost time

for work.

I am a mental health social worker and a PhD researcher, currently living in the South-East of England with my partner and our sausage dog, Mabel. In my writing, I often explore shared experiences of humanity and identity as a way of making sense of the world and finding my own place in it. I returned to writing after a long hiatus, and have been enjoying immersing myself in the writing community. You can find me on Instagram at: @ella.b.winters