I come from women called Mrs Ashforth, Mrs Draper,

broken biscuits, cracked eggs, Co-op divi, provident cheques,

bomb ruins, Tin Tan Tommy,

a longing for an older brother's Gresham Flyer,

from Dolly Wheeler wearing her apron

in a photo of the Coronation party.

I come from looney bins and whalebone corsets,

hysterectomies, the change, varicose veins.

I come from Parky riding his bike

to lock the gates for the night,

a waltz at the bandstand,

reading the tea leaves,

the bearded lady at the fairground.

I come from the kitchens of women,

owners of preserving pans and garden fences.

I come from land lost in a hand of cards.

I come from girls who had no schooling.

I come from the deaths of Holy Martyrs.

I come from women married to men

who laboured in a country they didn't call home.

· From Oxford Poets 2007: An Anthology, edited by David Constantine and Bernard O'Donoghue, published by Carcanet, £12.95. To order a copy for £11.95 with free UK p&p call Guardian book service on 0870 836 0875