My Sister

Went to Roe Valley Golf Hotel with Tom, Billy and Anne

I was sitting in the back seat of the car with my Sister as we started our journey.

Soon we were riding along the Sydenham Bypass… passing the railway station…

the George Best airport… Victoria Park… The Oval football ground and the wee streets

of East Belfast close to the Belfast Shipyard this is the area my sister, brother and I grew up.

I have passed here many many times over the years… pointing out places and telling of

times when I was young to my Grandchildren and hearing them say

“You told us that before Granny” But this time!!

I have my sister

She would listen

She would know

She could see what I see and feel what I felt.

She could see the old road that led us to the park

That same old road with the melting tar across each division of concrete

She would feel the icy cold water of the outdoor swimming pool in the park,

She would hear the cheers of the men at the football match in the Oval.

She would run over the old wooden bridge beside the railway track making

The same noise with her shoes as I did

She would feel a tiny bit frightened running under the .. blind arch at Ballymacarratt Halt

But would still do it… Because everybody else did.

She would swing around the lamp post and feel the pain of bumping heads

When trying to do a burl.

She would skip on the cobble stones, do handstands against the wall with her dress

Tucked in her knickers

She would play… 3 balls… kick the tin… Catchy Kissy and Knock the Knocker,

All these things she remembers just as I did and still do.

But it takes a sister to really know and feel… all those yester years.

A past we shared together

Jean Burns

7th July 2018