Yehudit stood
by the window
of the bedroom
looking out
at the garden below
Baruch lay
on the bed
taking in
her figure
standing there
after having
made love
in his bed
I like your apple orchard
she said
the blossom
makes it
so beautiful
not as beautiful
as you
he said
taking in
her nakedness
the sunlight touching
her profile
she smiled
the blossom
is more beautiful
than I am
she said
come back to bed
he said
she turned
and walked back
to the bed
and lay beside him
I’ll have to go soon
she said
your mother
will be returning
from her work soon
he watched her eyes
the flush
about her skin
I know
he said
guess we best
get dressed
and I’ll walk you
back home
she kissed him
and he caressed her
and she ran a hand
along his thigh
shame we have to go
she said
he kissed her
and said
can't risk being here
when Mother returns
or she'll put
2 +2 and come up
with 5
Yehudit sighed
and moved off
the bed
and began to dress
into her underclothes
and orange flower
patterned dress
he got up
and began to get dressed
looking at her nakedness
disappear into clothes
the memory
of their love making
fresh in his mind
her apple scent
her body supple
her peasant look
her simplicity
the kissing
the holding
the bodies interacting
ready?
he asked
she nodded
and they went down
the stairs
and out the back door
and along the path
by the apple orchard
and out the back gate
into the woods
there was birdsong
and a warm air
and smell of the farm
beyond the woods
back to work tomorrow
she said
my half day
spent making love
they kissed
and he walked her
through the woods
to her house
along the small road
at the edge of the field
by the farmed land
he holding her
peasant
warm hand.
A BOY AND GIRL AFTER *** IN 1963.