‘A Few of Life’s Givens’ By Alison Lloyd

She gave a hiccup. She gave her first smile. She gave little trouble to her teachers. She gave lip to her father, for a while. She gave out fliers at uni for a friend. She gave in to the friend.
She gave a career her best shot. She gave out business cards and a professional impression. She gave the friend her hand in marriage. She gave her bouquet a fling that sent it sailing over the guests and into the pond.
She gave birth. She gave her breast to the baby’s ruby mouth.
She gave the next one a bottle. She gave up full-time work. She gave the bills on the dresser a wide berth.
She gave her husband the boot. She gave her eldest her first smack. She gave the house a good clean.
She gave the man a second chance. She gave Thursdays to canteen; she gave time to good causes; she gave flowers to friends. She gave a thought to life’s gifts.
She gave over the car keys to her second child. She gave a choked cry when she opened the door. She couldn’t give her right arm to get him back.
She gave a sigh. She gave her heart to the Lord.
She gave the house another good clean. She gave away the children’s old toys. She gave her husband a decent send-off. She gave no sign of pain inside.
She gave her home a backward glance.
She gave up the ghost – gave her body to the flames. She gave her all. But she never gave up hope.

EJ BRADY