I have an image in my head, br It's of my mother br in an old pinny, br her hard, broad hands br that were soft and plump on the palm, br with cigarette yellow br at the fingertips. br br I have this image in my head br It's of her with a washing board, br sighing, tired br and me, small and tubby, br taking mini steps br towards the wringer, br 'can I do it mummy, can I do it' br br I have this image in my head br of her face, all lit up, br her excitement br at her first ‘twin tub' br and my heart aches for her. br I see her poor, over worked body, br her anguished face and I cry for her. br br I have this image in my head br and it never fades. br I wish she'd had a better life, br taken more care of herself. br She had this matter of fact attitude, br resololute, never to give in br and at the end, when all was done br there was nothing left but pain.