Joan Struthers, “The Sheep Shearer

The Sheep Shearer

Joan Struthers

Strike three your pension is suspended CANCER IS TREATABLE The Sheep Shearer spoke I’m in the hospital in the cancer ward He told her There are people in here worse off than me Didit OH Yeah

The TREATMENT continues continuing continuous continuously The Sheep Shearer ENDURED till the last bag of chemo Two bone marrow transplants and countless blood transfusions Till his doctor surrendered There’s nothing more I can do There’s nothing more that can be done for you! An ambulance will transport you to a hospice in your hometown shortly

I got four weeks Didit, maybe a little bit more WELL I’m NOT saying FAREWELL now

YOU CANNOT ACCESS YOUR SUPERANNUATION TILL NOVEMBER It was May Didit’s beloved Sheep Shearer died on the first of June

The Sheep Shearer’s right hand and right arm was paralysed before his ambulance parked in the hospice car park YOUR PENSION IS SUSPENDED CANCER IS TREATABLE The social worker here says I don’t have any money left to pay for my funeral I’d like a WAKE at George’s house I’d like anyone to be there who wants to be there The Sheep Shearer was talking to his next of kin, his ex-wife he was on a call with George is his son No Didit’s with me That’s lovely of her she had said The Sheep Shearer quoted her to Didit soon after the call ended Didit’s my girlfriend Still? YEP she’s been my girlfriend for thirty-four years!

The Sheep Shearer buzzed his buzzer He was sat in a wheelchair A nurse offered him pear juice and a smile It was week three Your cancer is less painful at the end than some of the others We will help you die Do you believe me? He replied yes WHERE’S MY HUG the Sheep Shearer wrapped his left arm round her waist Can I have my anxiety medicine please

Week four The Sheep Shearer was sitting on the edge of his bed Didit busted him struggling to stand I’m not supposed to but I DO He was halfway up She pushed him down on the side of the bed In mid-struggle Didit buzzed the nurse’s station The Sheep Shearer WAS ON HIS FEET Didit BUZZED AND BUZZED The nurse rushed inside She waited outside his door Didit heard a monologue The nurse’s voice SO STERN WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU’LL GO YOU’VE HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH YOUR BOWELS YOU NEED US TO CARE FOR YOU YOU NEED TO STAY HERE The door opened and the nurse reappeared You’ve got to look after yourself darling The nurse was hugging Didit If he stands up again STEP AWAY He’s a large man, a heavy man You’re tiny STEP AWAY That’s what we do! STEP AWAY

The Sheep Shearer couldn’t feel his right foot and leg On week four He wants to see you but proceed with caution! He’s refusing to wear clothes today Is it okay if I give you a hand Yes Didit The Sheep Shearer was sitting on the side of his bed in a disposable nappy A scrunchy polo shirt scrunched scrunching about his neck She struggled to lift his arm Struggling so slowly and so tentatively In a voice as soft as a whisper I’ve got this I’ve got this Didit repeated repeatedly repeating

I’ve got this The Sheep Shearer buzzed the buzzer A nurse promptly cleaned him up in the bathroom and she helped him back to bed Can I have my anxiety medicine please

Look Didit! I can still move my bum! She got up on the bed with him Propose to me, darling I got the house preacher’s number on the top of my contacts

Here we are together Breathe in the MAGIC with me WE ARE THE MAGIC Are you breathing MAGIC Yes WILD IS WHAT WE ARE YES I love you Didit Can we have a nap now?

Didit’s Sheep Shearer didn’t ever shear any sheep He worked overseas on the big oil rigs Didit the suspicious ones are correct! We are DEEPLY IN LOVE with each other

We don’t have to jump into bed together to prove it Do we? And the priest honoured his vow of celibacy