Slate-grey steps with white ribbed bone to steady the foot
\nwith the marks of the washerwoman\u2019s knees
\nand a black iron snake to hold on to
\nas it coiled its way upwards,
\npolished smooth from the caress of hands;
\nand the concrete landing
\nwhere we stopped to catch our breath
\nand a glimpse of the stars
\nthrough a rectangular opening in an ash-grey wall
\nwhich to its side housed a handled steel door,
\na chute to the Great Bin
\nat the bottom of the stairs,
\nlocked in a room of its very own
\nwhere it could overflow to its heart\u2019s content
\nand still take more,
\nthe extractor of all the Liberties\u2019 ills;
\nand the automatic light
\nsuddenly quenched itself on the landing
\n\u2013 we were overstaying our time
\nwatching the stars twinkle \u2013
\nand my baby sister cried from the darkness
\nas we continued our ascent.
\nI helped my mother tilt and lift;
\nI could hear her heavy breathing,
\neach slow tortuous step its own individual,
\nour very own little Calvary.
\nThe baby cried again:
\n\u2018Hush now, we\u2019re nearly there alanna,\u2019 said Mam,
\nbut we were only halfway up with the pram.<\/p>\n