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I was a war widow’s only child.

Her mother was a frightful tease.

She would say anything to get a rise

Out of my mother or me.

A war widow herself,

She lived with her house-keeper

As my mother did with hers.

Bickering was common enough.

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The rule was, we quarrelled and forgot.

Sometimes I forget that others

May not forget the hurt

As easily as we forgot our spats.

So if I have hurt any one of you in the past,

Please do not nurture it.

I’ve forgotten who I snapped at last.

Forgive me. I have always been a bitch.

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