What Has Happened to Lulu?

By:Charles Causley

Stanza 1

What has happened to Lulu,mother?

What has  happened to Lu?

There' nothing in her bed but an old rag doll.

And by its side a shoe.

Stanza 2

Why is her window wide,mother,

The curtain flapping free,

And only a circle on the dusty shelf.

Where her money-box used to be.

Stanza 3

Why do you turn your head,mother,

And why do the tear-drops fall?

And why do you crample that note on the fire

And say it is nothing at all?

Stanza 4

 I woke to voices late last night,

I heard an engine roar

Why do you tell me the things I heard

Were a dream and nothing more?

Stanza 5

I heard somebody cry,mother,

In anger or in pain,

But now I ask you why,mother,

You say it was a gust of rain

Stanza 6

Why do you wander about as though

You don't know what to do?

What has happened to Lulu,mother?

What has happened to Lu?

Meaning Of Each Stanza

Stanza 1

The persona is asking his/her mother about his/her older sister,Lulu.The question is repeated but using the name "Lu".Lulu is not in her bed.Only her rag-doll is there.There is a Lulu's shoe by the side of the bed.

Stanza 2

The persona is asking his/her mother about Lulu's bedroom window that is wide open.The curtain is moving because of the wind from the open window.Lulu's money-box is also missing.

Stanza 3

The persona is asking his/her mother why she turns her head away from him/her.He/She asks why mother is crying.Why does his/her mother crumple the note she is reading and throwing it into the fire.The mother simply says that there is nothing to worry about.

Stanza 4

The persona tells his/her mother that he/she woke up from his/her sleep because he/she heard some people talking.He/She also heard the sound of a vehicle at that time.The persona is asking his/her mother why she says what he/she heard were only in his/her dream.

Stanza 5

The persona tells his/her mother that he/she also heard someone cry in anger or in pain.But when he/she asks his/her mother,she says it is just the sound of  the rain.

Stanza 6

The persona is asking his/her mother why she is walking or moving aimlessly as if she is nervous,worried and in panic.Again,the persona is asking his/her mother about Lulu.The repeated question shows that the child is really missing his/her sister is worriedd about her in confusion.