You followed Anne
and some others
along the path
from the large house
out the back gate
across a sidewalk
onto the beach
and stood looking out
at the horizon
and the sea
and Anne said
watch out those fucking gulls
don’t shit on you
and some of the other kids laughed
and you stood watching how
she stood there on the beach
on her crutches
the leg missing
and she pointing up
at the seagulls flying overhead
and the smell of salt in the air
and the sound of the sea
crashing on the beach and shingles
I used to swim until I lost my leg
Anne said
but I will again someday
get my pussy all wet
and she looked around at you
to see your response
her deep blue eyes
searching you out
her tee shirt tight
to her figure
and her skirt
just above her knees
but the stump not showing
what do you reckon?
she asked you
coming closer
as the other kids
ran down onto the sands
sure you will
you said feeling her breath on you
as she stood in front of you
her small but developing breasts
pressing against you
I could kiss the lips off you
she said but didn’t
she nodded for you to follow her
as she crutched onto the sands
the crutch ends sinking slightly
but still she went onwards
singing if I were a fucking seagull
I’d shit on you all
especially Sister Paul
or Sister Gail
and her loud voice
carried along the beach
and blue and white sky
like an echoing wail.