You walked from the Downs
having seen the sights
Jane wanted
to show you

the view of the farms
the houses
the sheep wool
caught on wire fences

the church tower
small
like some frail snail
and she talked

of birds and flowers
and having seen
this butterfly
(unknown to you)

and her finger pointing
as it fluttered by
and you took in
her dark hair

her eyes
brown lighter
in sunlight
her pale complexion

the grey dress
white socks
old shoes
(for walking on

rough places
she said)
and she showed you
the hollow tree

and you went inside
and sensed her
near you
the smell of apples

and soap
and you felt the need
to kiss her
but didn't

just let it pass
dream maybe
of having done so
and you listened

to her words
how you wanted
to take each syllable
and hold

and turn it over
like fresh fruit
and squeeze
the meaning from each

and when you reached
the lane you paused
and she smiled
and said

you're quick to learn
yes I guess I am
you said
and you took her

into the cottage
and your mother
was washing clothes
in the big copper

steam coming out
and she standing there
sweat on her forehead
and you introduced her

to Jane and they talked
and you watched
and saw how
thin she was

how small her *******
easing against
the dress cloth
and your mother

nodding her head  
and they smiled
and talked
and you wondered

how the fingers
of your mother's hands
got to be so red
and such

but guessed it must
be the water
and soap suds
and years

of washing clothes
in damp
and that old ringer
she used to have

and how you loved
to see the water squeezed
from it like clear blood
and Jane looked at you

and you wanted
to swim in her dark eyes
and find the essence
of her soul

then she looked away
and deep inside
you wanted her
always to be

and never
to go away.