Off Rockingham Street
just fifty yards
from the corner shop
where you used to get
bread rolls
in the early mornings
was a bombed out factory
with a fence around
but some kids
had pushed a way
through the wooden slates
and that is where
you and Helen went
on the Saturday afternoon
( not going in the morning
because of the film matinée)
she uncertain
as she followed you
through the fence
looking about her
her eyes enlarged
by her thick lens spectacles
her brown hair
bunched with ribbons
are there people here still?
she asked
no
you said
no one here except
a few rats and mice
rats!
she said
stiffening by the fence
mice?
sure but they won't hurt you
you said
tapping the 6 shooter
toy gun wedged
in a holster
on your belt
but rats
she said
I hate them
she put fingers
to her mouth
o come on
you said
nothing to worry about
she followed you reluctantly
across the yard
and to the factory
which had been locked up
but some kids
had busted through
a side door
and you and she
went through
and into the factory
the smell
she said
what a stink
yes
you said
dampness rotting wood and ****
and sometimes tramps
come in here
and **** in corners
tramps?
not here now are they?
no they go at daylight
you said
you walked in
and looked around
at the places
where once
machines had been
and benches stood rotting
in the damp
from holes in the ceiling
where bombs
had blown entrances
and one wall
at the back
was blown out
she stood there
hands in her coat pockets
not sure I want to go further
she said
look we've come this far
why go back now?
you said
frightened
she said
you walked to her
and took her hand
and said
I'm here with you
I promised your mum
I'd take care of you
yes I know
but she thought
you were taking me
to the park
not the bomb sites
she's told me not to go
on bomb sites
she says
they're dangerous places
you smiled
of course they are
that's why I come
you said
she hesitated
at your side
she squeezed your hand
look
afterwards we'll get some chips
from the chip shop
and put plenty
of salt and vinegar on them
and eat them
on the grass
by Banks House
ok
she said
her eyes brightening
she followed you
through the factory
looking at the walls
and benches
and spaces
where old tools
had once been
and where machines
had been blown away
or taken off
after the war
she walked with you
up the wobbly
metal staircase
to a higher level
and into rooms
where offices
had once been
and went to a window
and peered out
at the surrounding houses
and gardens
some houses bombed out
some still intact
with washing on the lines
you felt your gun
with your hand
sensed her hand
in yours
looking out
through the window
at the Saturday
afternoon sun
and warm out of doors.