Why did you meet me
from school?
Fay asked
as we walked along

St George’s Road
I got the bus this way
after I left school
and thought I’d stay on

and meet you
nice of you
she said
that’s me

I said
nice guy
she laughed softly
I hate school

some days
she said
only some days
I hate school all days

I said
we walked on a bit
in silence
what happened today

to make you hate school?
I asked
Sister Bridget said
that there’s no salvation

outside the Church
she quoted St Augustine
and that’s a bad day?
I said

who’s this St Augustine guy?
sounds a happy guy
he was a saint
of the Church

she said
which by definition
means you are ******
sounds pretty much

what my teachers
tell me
I said
no I’m serious

she said
she was
her eyes were tearful
I pray for you

she said
I asked Sister Luke
to pray for you
she’s my favourite nun

we went down
the subway towards
the New Kent Road
her voice echoing

as she talked on
about  this nun said this
and what nun said what
I thought of the kiss

on the cheek
she gave me
the other day
the one I said

I’d not wash away
which I did accidently
the other morning
half awake

and thought
o God
I’ve washed
her kiss away  

maybe I thought
she’ll kiss me
another cheek kiss
but she was still talking

about damnation
and about some guy
called Dante
and some fire

her soft voice
moving along
the walls
of the subway

as if it were *******
along the walls
trying to find
a way out

into the afternoon sun
she stopped
and so did I
and she kissed me

on the cheek
another one.