Bearing the Consequences

The vandal returns
with a hammer
and nails,
and a paintbrush for staining.
Red-faced and shaking,
she bangs on the door.

This time it opens.

They growl,
uncertain
but offer her a seat - which she politely declines.
She’s aware for the first time
of the child on the floor.
I’d like to fix things,
she says,
if you’ll let me.
I’ve brought you some honey.
They offer her porridge
which she gladly accepts,
and then she crouches to eat it
with the small one
at her feet.

She washes out their bowls.

Then ties up her plaits
and gets down to work.