One of the things Grandma had was poliomyelitis , that’s polio for short you know .

On the mantle piece where all these bottles of tablets lined up .
Just like soldiers in a row .


My grandmother was paralysed .
Even her smile never moved .
She was just perfect to me .


I went to see her everyday on my school lunch break .
I sat by her chair and watched TV.

Polio was a common thing , like turf briquettes .
I wished I could have burnt it in the fire .

Grandma had a wheelchair .
My Grandfather used two pokers and tapped out a beat on each tyre .


When my Grandma passed away .
It was the first time I had ever seen someone who had died .

She lay there alone at home .
I remember going in a big black car to her graveside .

There were many people who stood there .
I threw a flower into the grave and said goodbye .

Polio and rheumatism had left Grandmas body .
She had a set of wings to fly .



By Paul McCann