Dad’s note to me, 1984

Here is the note of good healing
that holds the charm of invincibility,
the power to protect a firstborn.

Here is an amulet against dying
on the table, a spell to wake safely
from the anaesthetic.

Here is the note of benign growth,
of no further treatment, the note of
come back to me whole.

Here is the note of seldom expressed love.

Hilary Robinson’s publications include The Interpreter’s House, Obsessed with Pipework, Strix, The Morning Star, Riggwelter, Dream Catcher and
Poetry Birmingham and anthologies including Please Hear What I’m Not Saying (Fly on the Wall Poetry 2018),  A New Manchester Alphabet (Manchester Writing School 2015), Noble Dissent (Beautiful Dragons Press 2017) and The Cotton Grass Appreciation Society. Twelve of her poems are published in the DragonSpawn book, Some Mothers  Do . . . alongside Dr Rachel Davies and the late Tonia Bevins. Her poem, ‘Second Childhood’ was shortlisted in the 2016 York Poetry Competition. Hilary has an MA in Creative Writing from Manchester Metropolitan University.