Under the railway bridge
in Rockingham Street
where the steam trains
go by overhead
quite frequently
going to somewhere else
by Baldy's
the grocer's store
where you get merchandise
quite often
for your mother
you sat with Janice
waiting to have
your hair cut
(your mother sent her
with you
to make sure
it was done right)
she had her
red beret on
the fair hair
flowing from beneath
her bright eyes
and straight white teeth
when we marry
she said
(why do girls do that
to a kid of 8?
at 9 maybe
that's fine
why spoil his day
with wedding days
and such?)
shall I wear
cream or a white dress?
(cream would be better
than white
make her look
less pale
more quaint
make her look
less likely to faint)
cream'd be good
you said
and what about my bouquet?
what flowers
should I have?
(God knows
you mused
I know nothing
of such things
whatever
the flower guy brings)
I don't know
flower names
you choose
you said
she smiled
and nodded her head
who will be
your best man?
she asked
Carmody or Jupp?
you said
she didn't
look impressed
or Jim?
you added
he'll do
she said
(why ask you?)
you liked the way
her eyes went wide
at the mention
of Jim
(did she fancy him?)
and the way she leaned
her head to one side
when you said
cream to the colour of dress
(to you
it was a thing
to keep from life
and head
it would seem
but to her
it was a dream)
but who
will give me away?
she said
my Daddy's dead
and mother too
would my old man do?
you said
but she shook her head
(wise kid you thought)
Gran may
if she's not too old
she added
looking straight ahead
or too ill or dead
my brother could
if he's old enough then
(many years hence
you hoped)
a boy amongst men
you said
she just smiled
and gave nod of head
and how many kids
shall we have?
she asked
(why ask me
you thought
how many there'd be?)
two or three?
you said
or more
she suggested
gazing at the barber
who was finishing off
a middle-aged man
with a comb and mirror
wearing a smile
who's next?
he asked
taking off the cape
from the man
he is
Janice said
pointing to you
and a short back
and sides
his mother said
Janice added
the barber nodded you
to the chair
and you sat there
gazing at Janice
in the mirror
imagining her
as a bride in white
or cream
on some one's arm
coming down the aisle
with her smile
but not tomorrow
or next year
or after that
but off
some where
in quite awhile.