Homecoming

Olivia, soft as a child
In her mother's big bed.
Looking back on yesterday
as on a very bad dream:
Long drawn out surgery,
waking up to atrocious pain,
morphine and a ghastly reaction.
These are as nothing compared to
the sweetness of home:
A mother's presence;
A mother's smooth stroking hand;
Hair washed, dried and braided 
by those same hands;
brother and cat, both with red-gold hair;
A Christmas tree!
And Nanny with red-gold roses,
with laughter and snuggles
on her mother's big beg.