Gefen said
that girl you like
that one
who stinks somewhat
and looks as if
she slept in a barn
is in the girl's bog-house
crying
I looked at him
and flicked
my cigarette card
against the wall
of the playground
it wasn't near enough
to win I didn't think
why's she crying?
I asked
how the ****
would I know
he said
just saw her go in
and heard the sobbing
I watched
as another kid
flicked his card
near touch the wall
and fall
ok you win
I said
and walked up the steps
from the playground
and walked
to the bogs
and listened
with ear to the door
that you Enid?
I asked
no it's Coleman
what do you want?
I said nothing
and wandered off away
and there was Enid
by a window
what's up?
I said
she looked at me
through smeary glasses
not here
she said
not what here
I said
I can't say here
ok where then?
I said
so she beckoned me
to follow her
along a dank passageway
(there were many)
until we came
to where the cleaners
kept their brooms
and buckets
and such stuff
and she sneak inside
and pulled me in
beside her
well?
I said
sniffing the air
of disinfect
and soap
and yesterday's clothes
can't sit properly
she said
and she lifted
her dull grey dress
to reveal a red weal
along her thigh
and beyond
it hurts when I sit
and I can't say why
and it hurts to sit
she lowered her dress
and looked at me
red eyed
and dripping nose
your old man?
I asked
she nodded
and looked around
the small room
her eyes vacant
say you've got a boil
on your backside
and ask for a cushion
I did last term
when I had boils
on mine
she looked unsure
really?
yes really
I said
I'll ask
old ma Murphy
if you like
she's got loads
of cushions
Enid looked at me
her eyes dull
as dishwater
ok
she said
she kissed my cheek
and followed me out
and along
to Murphy's room
uncertain
and unhappy
as if facing
death and doom.
May 15, 2014
May 15, 2014 at 10:04 AM UTC
Gefen said
that girl you like
that one
who stinks somewhat
and looks as if
she slept in a barn
is in the girl's bog-house
crying
I looked at him
and flicked
my cigarette card
against the wall
of the playground
it wasn't near enough
to win I didn't think
why's she crying?
I asked
how the ****
would I know
he said
just saw her go in
and heard the sobbing
I watched
as another kid
flicked his card
near touch the wall
and fall
ok you win
I said
and walked up the steps
from the playground
and walked
to the bogs
and listened
with ear to the door
that you Enid?
I asked
no it's Coleman
what do you want?
I said nothing
and wandered off away
and there was Enid
by a window
what's up?
I said
she looked at me
through smeary glasses
not here
she said
not what here
I said
I can't say here
ok where then?
I said
so she beckoned me
to follow her
along a dank passageway
(there were many)
until we came
to where the cleaners
kept their brooms
and buckets
and such stuff
and she sneak inside
and pulled me in
beside her
well?
I said
sniffing the air
of disinfect
and soap
and yesterday's clothes
can't sit properly
she said
and she lifted
her dull grey dress
to reveal a red weal
along her thigh
and beyond
it hurts when I sit
and I can't say why
and it hurts to sit
she lowered her dress
and looked at me
red eyed
and dripping nose
your old man?
I asked
she nodded
and looked around
the small room
her eyes vacant
say you've got a boil
on your backside
and ask for a cushion
I did last term
when I had boils
on mine
she looked unsure
really?
yes really
I said
I'll ask
old ma Murphy
if you like
she's got loads
of cushions
Enid looked at me
her eyes dull
as dishwater
ok
she said
she kissed my cheek
and followed me out
and along
to Murphy's room
uncertain
and unhappy
as if facing
death and doom.
TWO BOYS AND A GIRL AT SCHOOL IN 1950S LONDON.
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