The hay barn was warm
and silent
and it was out
of the rain
and we could look out
and see the rain
falling heavily
on the land outside
just in time
Jane said
we would
have got drenched
I smelt the farm
from where we were
the cows
the dung
the air
birds outside calling
we came in here
once before
I said
she looked at me
then back
into the interior
of the barn
yes I know
but we weren’t
alone then
the other kids
made it seem
more a playground
than a place
we could be
on our own
I caught a glimpse
of her grey dress
the wellington boots
her dark hair damp
from the sudden downpour
barns have their own
particular smell
I said
she looked at me
with her dark blue eyes
best not
let the cowmen
see us in here
or tongues will talk
she said
what about?
I said
seeing rooks take off
from the tops
of the tall trees
a boy and girl
in a hay barn
gives people
the wrong impression
of matters
I sensed an apple smell
freshly picked
what impression?
you know
that those two people
are doing things
I looked at the grey sky
the Downs were
greying green
kissing?
I said
that and other things
she said shyly
the cowman’s daughter
up the lane
is pregnant
and they came in here
I thought now
that the apple smell
came from her
fresh apple scent
I breathed her in secretly
I heard about that
my mother said something
to my father over dinner
in hushed talk
but I heard them
what’s that
got to do with us?
I said
taking the apples
in my mind
and holding them
in my hands
wanting to bite
into each
nothing as long
as we’re just being us
and not otherwise
my mother likes you
Jane said
she has a good eye
for people
I nodded
uncertain what to say
still it rained
and there was
the strong smell
of warm hay
May 24, 2014
May 24, 2014 at 2:44 AM UTC
The hay barn was warm
and silent
and it was out
of the rain
and we could look out
and see the rain
falling heavily
on the land outside
just in time
Jane said
we would
have got drenched
I smelt the farm
from where we were
the cows
the dung
the air
birds outside calling
we came in here
once before
I said
she looked at me
then back
into the interior
of the barn
yes I know
but we weren’t
alone then
the other kids
made it seem
more a playground
than a place
we could be
on our own
I caught a glimpse
of her grey dress
the wellington boots
her dark hair damp
from the sudden downpour
barns have their own
particular smell
I said
she looked at me
with her dark blue eyes
best not
let the cowmen
see us in here
or tongues will talk
she said
what about?
I said
seeing rooks take off
from the tops
of the tall trees
a boy and girl
in a hay barn
gives people
the wrong impression
of matters
I sensed an apple smell
freshly picked
what impression?
you know
that those two people
are doing things
I looked at the grey sky
the Downs were
greying green
kissing?
I said
that and other things
she said shyly
the cowman’s daughter
up the lane
is pregnant
and they came in here
I thought now
that the apple smell
came from her
fresh apple scent
I breathed her in secretly
I heard about that
my mother said something
to my father over dinner
in hushed talk
but I heard them
what’s that
got to do with us?
I said
taking the apples
in my mind
and holding them
in my hands
wanting to bite
into each
nothing as long
as we’re just being us
and not otherwise
my mother likes you
Jane said
she has a good eye
for people
I nodded
uncertain what to say
still it rained
and there was
the strong smell
of warm hay
A BOY AND GIRL IN A HAY BARN IN 1961 TALKING.
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