Much too late
for thoughts
of what her father
might say
Fay went with you
to the Globe cinema
in Camberwell Green
a right fleapit of a place
but the film
you wanted to see
was on there
Daniel Boone
all about the Old West
and after it was over
and you came out
into the bright sunlight
your eyes felt
over whelmed
after the darkness
of the cinema
what did you think?
you asked
Fay said
yes it was good
not the sort of film
Daddy would have let me see
well he won't know
you've seen it
will he
you said
unless he asks me
then I'll have to
tell him the truth
she said
why would he ask?
you looked at her
standing there
with her fair hair
and lovely blue eyes
he might ask me
what I have done today
she said
her eyes beginning
to show signs of fear
maybe he won't
you said
just tell him
you've been studying
American history
she looked at her hands
he doesn't like America
or Americans
she said
well you don't have to
like something to study it
I have to do it all week
at school
you said
maybe he won't ask
she said softly
looking at you
fiddling with her fingers
distract him
tell him something else
talk about a butterfly
you saw on the bombsite
she looked at you
and smiled
you don't know him
he'll ask me
what sort of butterfly
and I won't know
and he'll know
I've been lying
and that will mean
being punished
she looked up the street
toward the bus stop
we had better be getting back
she said
he'll be home soon
ok
you said
and took her hand
and walked toward
the bus stop and waited
for the bus
if I told my mother
the truth all the time
she'd have a nervous breakdown
it's more kinder
to keep her happy
in innocent bliss
of what I get up to
Fay looked haunted
and was silent
she still held your hand
a fading bruise just visible
on her upper arm
where her dresses sleeve
moved
how about some ice-cream
when we get back
I've got a Shilling
given to me
by my old man yesterday?
she hesitated
ok I’d like that
she said
and when the bus
came along
you both got on
and sat next
to each other
downstairs near
the conductor
watching the scenes
of passing people
and traffic go by
but a special place
in your mind and heart
of Fay
next to you
quiet and shy.
May 25, 2013
May 25, 2013 at 5:13 AM UTC
Much too late
for thoughts
of what her father
might say
Fay went with you
to the Globe cinema
in Camberwell Green
a right fleapit of a place
but the film
you wanted to see
was on there
Daniel Boone
all about the Old West
and after it was over
and you came out
into the bright sunlight
your eyes felt
over whelmed
after the darkness
of the cinema
what did you think?
you asked
Fay said
yes it was good
not the sort of film
Daddy would have let me see
well he won't know
you've seen it
will he
you said
unless he asks me
then I'll have to
tell him the truth
she said
why would he ask?
you looked at her
standing there
with her fair hair
and lovely blue eyes
he might ask me
what I have done today
she said
her eyes beginning
to show signs of fear
maybe he won't
you said
just tell him
you've been studying
American history
she looked at her hands
he doesn't like America
or Americans
she said
well you don't have to
like something to study it
I have to do it all week
at school
you said
maybe he won't ask
she said softly
looking at you
fiddling with her fingers
distract him
tell him something else
talk about a butterfly
you saw on the bombsite
she looked at you
and smiled
you don't know him
he'll ask me
what sort of butterfly
and I won't know
and he'll know
I've been lying
and that will mean
being punished
she looked up the street
toward the bus stop
we had better be getting back
she said
he'll be home soon
ok
you said
and took her hand
and walked toward
the bus stop and waited
for the bus
if I told my mother
the truth all the time
she'd have a nervous breakdown
it's more kinder
to keep her happy
in innocent bliss
of what I get up to
Fay looked haunted
and was silent
she still held your hand
a fading bruise just visible
on her upper arm
where her dresses sleeve
moved
how about some ice-cream
when we get back
I've got a Shilling
given to me
by my old man yesterday?
she hesitated
ok I’d like that
she said
and when the bus
came along
you both got on
and sat next
to each other
downstairs near
the conductor
watching the scenes
of passing people
and traffic go by
but a special place
in your mind and heart
of Fay
next to you
quiet and shy.
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