"janice" poems
I knocked the black
door knocker
on Janice's nan's door
and her nan answered
and said
o hello Benedict
Janice can't come out
she let the canary out
and we had
a hell of a job
getting it back
in the cage again
so I'm keeping her in
I was going
to tan her backside
but I thought
keeping her in
was more
of a punishment
on a day like this
o right
I said
looking at Nan's eyes
and her greying hair
and unsmiling face
but you can come in
and see her
for a few minutes
shame that you
have to be
without her though
so she walked
back up the passage
and into the sitting room
where Janice
was sitting on a settee
looking disgruntled
it's Benedict
come to see you
he is only staying
for a few minutes
so don't think
you can go out
because you can't
Janice nodded
and looked tearful
and her nan walked off
into the kitchen
I didn't mean
to let the bird out
I just opened
the cage door
to get it to stand
on my finger
but it flew out
and it to ages
to catch it again
and Nan was so angry
that she was
on the border
of giving a smacking
but then she thought
keeping me in
was more
of a punishment
so here I am
on a lovely warm day
sorry about that
I said
where are you going?
she asked
I was going to Jail Park
on the swings and slide
I said
I see
she said
looking at me sadly
what have you got
in the bag?
I opened the bag
it's that Robin Hood book
I bought it
in that junk shop
on the New Kent Road
she held it
and opened it up
and looked
at the words
and pictures
maybe next time
I can be
your Maid Marian
to your Robin Hood
she said
yes
I said
looking
at the canary
in its cage
that'd be good.
Mar 10, 2015
Mar 10, 2015 at 3:16 AM UTC
A man that has everything
may appear to have nothing,
or like Janice said,
"Freedom is another word
for nothing left to lose."
Dec 28, 2010
Dec 28, 2010 at 6:21 AM UTC
I frequent a little taco stand
Every time that I'm out west
With Elvis behind the counter
Dressed in his leathers best
Janice Joplin doing dishes
With Southern Comfort breath
Arguing with fry cook Jim Morrison
Over the best way of cheating death
Jimi Hendrix works the tables
That they have set up out front
Recommending the mushroom taco
With the psychedelic crunch
Marilyn Monroe...the entertainment
Nightly serenades the gents
While wearing here favorite T-shirt
Bobby Kennedy for president
I highly recommend the little taco stand
If you ever find yourself out West
Who's going to show up to take your order that day
Could be anybody's guess
Aug 14, 2013
Aug 14, 2013 at 7:51 AM UTC
I'm surprised we're having a picnic on the east wing!
Our company almost never gives us anything!
Underpaid with no benefits makes this picnic even better
To think I was going to give in my resignation letter
With so many hamburgers, hot dogs, and more,
It's a fast food restaurant galore!
A table packed full with yummies.
Today, a lot of beef will be in tummies.
People reaching for their plates
The caterers come out of their waits
One by one, they serve each voracious goer
For a pay that probably couldn't get any lower
Janice comes, with her broken polish and nails
And a scream a joy echos out like whales
She's so drunk, oh my god haha she's so wired
It's the unpaid overtime or another threat of being fired
Poor thing... we finish our girl talk
and problems on my mind, I begin to walk
Feeling my appetite begin to poke me,
I bite into my hamburger with resounding glee
Nipping the bread, it's fluff presses against my lips
I close my eyes, as my senses go in dips
The precious aroma of divine baked bread
As my tongue and bun are set to wed.
Each bud met with delicious waters of steak
The ketchup creating a dreamy, saucy lake
Scrumptious, delicious
Incredible, nutritious...?
It doesn't matter, I've met my goal
And the taste, goodness it makes my mind roll
Forgetting everything while I finish the rest
Golly, this food is the best
Jun 8, 2016
Jun 8, 2016 at 3:52 PM UTC
I frequent a little taco stand
Every time I'm out in the Mid-West
With Elvis behind the counter
Dressed in his leather best
Janice Joplin doing the dishes
With enchilada breath
Arguing with the fry cook Jim Morrison
Over the best way of cheating death
Jimi Hendrix works the tables
That they have set up out front
Recommending the mushroom taco
With the psychedelic crunch
Marilyn Monroe...the entertainment
Nightly serenades the gents
Wearing her favorite T-shirt
Bobby Kennedy for president
I highly recommend the little taco stand
If you ever find yourself out West
Who's going to show up to take your order that day
Could be anybody's guess...
Aug 8, 2013
Aug 8, 2013 at 6:14 PM UTC
Janice sat beside you
on the bombsite
off Meadow Row
looking towards
the New Kent Road
watching the people
and traffic pass
you with your catapult
and she with the doll
her gran had bought her
from the market in the Cut
Gran said those are dangerous
Janice said
pointing at the catapult
not if you’re careful
and responsible
you said
but they fire stones
she said
guns fire bullets
you said
they can **** people
David killed Goliath
with a stone
she said
I heard it in church
I only fire at tin cans
or other such targets
you said
she looked at the sky
at pigeons flying overhead
what about birds?
she asked
no I don’t shoot at birds
although I did fire
at a rat once
but missed
and it ran off
I hate rats
she said
there was one
on our balcony once
and it frightened me to death
you laughed
you remember that coalman
who stomped on that one
along the balcony by your flat?
yuk
she said
horrible blood and guts
everywhere
and on his boot
you said
she hugged her doll
close against her
don’t remind me
you studied the doll
in her arms
the way it was close
to her chest
her hands caressing
the painted china head
the yellow flowered dress
and small white socks
and black plastic shoes
you’d make a good mum
you said
watching her rock
the doll in her arms
do you think so?
she asked
yes
you said
maybe one day
I will have a real baby
she said
and rock it to sleep
and feed it with a bottle
and burp it
and change its *****
like I saw a lady do
in the toilets
of Waterloo station
and Gran said
it wasn’t hygienic
not there of all places
Gran said
I’d have to have
a peg on my nose
if I had to change
a baby’s *****
you said
I think men
have weaker stomachs
than women do
she said
I think mothers
are given stronger stomachs
when they have babies
it’s God way of helping them
deal with babies
I’d rather have a catapult
than a baby
you said
or a doll
do you want to hold my doll
and I can hold your catapult?
she asked
no thanks
you replied
if my mates saw me
I’d never live it down
she kissed the doll’s head
and said
likewise
but there was a smile
on her lips
and a sparkle
in her eyes
and a beauty
in the way she sat
in her orange coloured dress
and bright red beret hat.
Feb 23, 2013
Feb 23, 2013 at 4:27 AM UTC
Eat the fourth cookie.
Bring back that fuzzy green sweater with lint ***** so stubborn
that even the strongest lint roller couldn’t break the bond they have with the sweater.
I know you pick your nose in public.
You stutter every time I ask who lives on Mamaroneck Street.
You have burping contests with yourself while you’re on the toilet.
I don’t care how you clip your toenails on today’s newspaper.
I still read it after you’re done.
I love that you paint each nail in a different neon color,
eat chocolate chips and green tea for breakfast,
and salt your apples.
You cry every time you watch Titanic.
I agree Rose should’ve moved to the side and shared the plank with Jack.
You rap to Baby Got Back fifty nine times in a row.
I wish we danced to it more often.
I wish you would tell me what you write in your red book.
I know you pretend you’re Beyonce in concert while working out,
and think Michael Buble wrote haven’t met you yet for you.
I love that you keep the ticket stubs from every single movie we see in the tea jar under your bed.
You smell of cologne every time you walk into the house.
You don’t know how to whisper. You never have.
You tell me you’ll be back by noon but don’t come back till 7 p.m.
You use your knitting needles as chopsticks when we order sushi,
And don’t stamp any of the letters you send your mom.
Even though you have seven wallets, you keep all your money loose in your bag
and throw away all the pennies in the trash.
You pretend your belly-fat is a puppet that can talk and sing,
And you flirt with the waiter for extra hot sauce.
You hate it when I use your cell-phone
And every night you kiss him goodnight at the train station.
Dec 12, 2011
Dec 12, 2011 at 11:19 AM UTC
Janice holds
on her small
open hand
the yellow
canary
I watch it
standing there
on her palm
seemingly
not trying
to fly off
it talks words
she tells me
standing there
red beret
perched on top
of blonde hair
-I knew that
I'd heard it
taught it words
while Janice
was not there
in the room
naughty words-
but sometimes
Janice says
it utters
naughty words
and Gran says
who taught that
canary
such bad words?
not me Gran
I tell her
must be that
previous
owner's fault
I guess so
her gran says
I keep stumn
put on my
good boy face
saint like gaze
falling from
God's good grace.
May 23, 2015
May 23, 2015 at 11:51 AM UTC
who knows
who rows
a boat
afloat
somthing
is in my throat
i think its a boat
il just use the best medication around
oo is makin dat sound???????????
o wait, me just high as de sky
my could fly to Janice meri's ouse
but me wont because me to lazy
relax, it aint halifax
its remax
max get out of here mon
and take your stupid wax candle
me dont like wax candles
dis be a big scandle?
no mon its just me, raldal
sorry randal
dis tin look like a guitar
Dec 5, 2014
Dec 5, 2014 at 8:28 AM UTC
Janice adjusts
the red beret
on her fair hair
and pulls at the hem
of her dress
as she sits
on the wooden seat
of the swing
in the park.
I sit on the swing
next to her,
ready to kick off,
my feet on the tarmac,
my eyes glued on her.
She winces.
Gran spanked me last night
for saying
that four letter word
you taught me.
You weren't supposed
to tell your gran.
You never said
not to tell;
I didn't know
what it meant.
Sorry,
I should have
told you.
(I didn't know,
but I don't tell her that).
She pushes off
with her feet
and she's air borne;
her sandalled feet
high in the air
as the swing goes backward
then forward.
I push off, too,
holding tight
to the steel links
on each side of the swing.
Maybe your gran
should have washed
your mouth out
with soap
instead of a spanking.
I wish she had, too.
My old man's aunt
swears like a trooper;
I used to go
to Sunday tea with her
and her husband
and my Nan used to say:
that's enough
of that language,
there's children present.
What did did she say?
They don't know
what it means,
she used to say;
but Nan'd say, no,
but they might repeat it
to people who do.
And did you?
Janice asks.
No, at least not
if my parents
were around.
I am swinging higher
than her now;
my feet seem to reach
the nearest clouds.
She tries to swing higher,
but I am still higher,
by swinging backward
and forward on the seat
and the holding tight
to steel links each side,
I am up there
with the gods.
Have you ever
been spanked?
I look at her.
Once when I peed
in my toy box
and my cousin
told my mum.
She pulls a face.
How ***** of you.
Yes, I guess;
Mum thought so.
I feel a breeze
in my hair and face
as I ride high,
swinging back and forth
on the swing.
She's beside me
trying hard to reach
as high as I am;
her feet reaching up,
her legs swinging madly;
her body going
backward and forward;
her red beret,
clinging on
for dear life
on her head.
I reach my maximum height;
my feet touching
Heaven's gates
or so seems,
my body going
back and forth
as much as it can.
She’s almost there,
smiling,
the wind riding
through her flowing
fair hair.
Dec 7, 2014
Dec 7, 2014 at 1:57 AM UTC
We sat on the grass
by Banks House
warm sun
sound of coal men
at the coal wharf
just behind
shunting of coal trucks
up in the shunting yard
by the railway bridge
I showed Janice
my new 6 shooter gun
my old man had got me
with a plastic holster
that was attached
to my belt
she took the gun
in her hands
and turned it over
what's fascinating
about guns?
she said
one looks pretty much
like another
she opened up the gun
and saw where the caps
were fitted
does it go bang
when you fire caps?
sure it does
I said
and took the gun
and pulled the trigger
and BANG BANG
it went
she put her hands
over her ears
that's loud
she said
******** up her eyes
I twirled the gun round
a finger and put the gun
back in the holster
Gran said guns
are dangerous things
Janice said
they are but this
is only a toy gun
I said
she took off her
red beret and combed
her fair hair with a comb
from her small handbag
did they have girl cowboys?
she asked
cowgirls they were called
I said
Anne Oakley was good
with a gun
have you got a spare gun
and holster
I could borrow?
and I could be her
to your Wyatt Earp
she said
sure I have
I said
I got lots of guns
and holsters
- I had about three sets-
let's go get one
and we can get you
started as a cowgirl
I said
and I can ride
a pretend white horse
she said
to go with your
black one
ok
I said
and we got up
and walked back
into the Square
and we went to the flat
where I lived
my mother was boiling
the wash in the boiler
and said
you want some lunch yet?
I asked Janice and she said
that would be nice
and so we had some
sandwiches and milk
and I went and got her
a spare gun and holster
and an S belt of mine
which she fitted around
her narrow waist
and she had a go
at drawing the gun
out of the holster
as she'd seen me do
and she was quite good
and after lunch
we set off to ride
our imaginary horses
through the Square
and along the open prairie
off the Meadow Row
bomb site
looking out
for Injuns
or bad cowboys
we could fight.
Jul 11, 2015
Jul 11, 2015 at 3:19 AM UTC
I arrived
at Janice's grandmother's flat
for the doll's tea party
as I said I would
and Janice took me
into her bedroom
as her gran was in
the sitting room
with two of her elderly friends
talking over cups of tea
Janice showed me
into her room
where there was
a single bed
and a small table
arranged beside it
with two small chairs
in which sat Teddy
a yellowish bear
Golly a red smiling lipped
black doll
and Miss Woolworth
a blonde doll
with curly blonde hair
and blue staring eyes
and a pouty mouth
and a rag doll
with one eye
the other one
empty space
after she had introduced me
to the tea party guests
she showed me
the small stainless tea ***
and six small teacups
and a stainless milk jug
and bowl with a few sugar lumps
do you take sugar?
she asked
I said two and she put
two sugar lumps in a tea cup
and one in hers
and poured the tea
into my cup
and added milk from the jug
she made her own tea
and sat on the bed beside me
then she poured
pretend tea in the cups
of the guests
on the small table
was a plate of small ice cakes
Gran made them for us
Gran's friends have the rest
Janice said
and on another
small plate were four
fingers of KitKat
I sipped the tea
it was weak but warm
in the other room
voices laughed
what's the doll
with one eye called?
I asked
Cyclops
she replied
funny name for a girl doll
I said
don't you remember
Mr Finn saying about
a one-eyed person
the other week?
Janice said
he said it was
a one-eyed savage giant
I replied
o did he?
she said
frowning her forehead
o I see
she said
never mind
I said
it's as good a name
as any
she wasn't convinced
and frowned harder
maybe I ought to call her Grace
Janice said
Grace?
I said
yes I had an aunt
who had one eye called Grace
Janice informed
what was the other eye called?
I said
she laughed out loudly
and then put a hand
over her mouth
and whispered
best not make
too much noise
or Gran will wonder
what we're doing
I sipped more tea
and took one of the iced cakes
we ate the cakes in silence
I gazed at the Golly
smiling at me
then Teddy who sat
with a small
silly smile sewn on
after cakes Janice gave me
a KitKat finger
and we sat
and ate those too
Miss Woolworth hasn't been well
Janice said
o what's wrong with her?
I asked
her left leg
has come loose
and dangles
when you lift her up
Janice said
o dear
I said
giving Janice a stare
she seemed serious
so I didn't smile
there was more laughter
from the women
in the other room
Janice looked at me
and said
glad you could come
and so is Teddy
he likes company
I said
I enjoyed it
and after sipping
the last of the tea
she showed me
her new red beret
and placed it
on her blonde hair
and smiled
then kissed
my cheek
best go
I said
glad other boys
never saw the kiss
or they'd think
I'd gone weak.
Nov 2, 2015
Nov 2, 2015 at 1:48 AM UTC
In class Mr Finn
talks about fractions
and denominators
and other stuff
I don't care to know
I see Janice
sitting at her desk
her fair hair
ribboned
and her small hand
and fingers
writing down
what he is saying
I scribble nothing
my page has a few
fractions and numbers
and my pen
drips blue ink
on the page
as I look at her
we went to the bomb site
off Meadow Row
last evening
(not too late
or her gran
will slap her one)
and we talked of Jesus
(or she was)
and how He died
and why none
of the disciples
came to his aid
Mr Finn says
Benny are you
listening to what
I am saying
about fractions?
Yes Sir
I reply
although I haven't
I have not a clue
what did I say
about this fraction?
He points
to the blackboard
I stare at the board
I missed that bit
I say
he sighs and repeats
(for me I guess)
what he has just said
Janice looks at me
she has lovely blue eyes
I smile
she frowns
Mr Finn talks
of improper fractions
and stuff
I study what
he's written
and think
school work
is tough.
Sep 23, 2016
Sep 23, 2016 at 2:09 PM UTC
Keep-A-Breast
Apple
OtterBox
Acu-Rite
Dial Aquafresh
Oral-B
ACT Garnier Equate
Hanes
On the Byas
Rude
Toms
Dakine
Acu-Vue
Ponds Degree
Preferred Stock
Mighty Wallet
Hot Topic
Keurig Dixie
Donut Shop
Domino
International Delight
Peter Paul's
Best Yet Great Value
Instagram
Facebook
Snapchat Yik Yak
Forever 21
Adventure Time
FSC Bic The Poetry Foundation
Staedtler Pilot Sharpie Microsoft
The Norton Anthology
Toshiba Dell Expo
Lipton
Emerica
Anti Hero MOB Shorty's
Bones Thunder
Shake Junt
Swingline
Pandora
Tommy Hilfiger
' Jill Greg Ashley Courtney
Judy
Bob
Janice
Shannon Kelly
Robert Emily Jeremy Darrin Liza
Bill Joe Dominic Sean James
Gav Jordan Tony Eric
Christopher
Dec 6, 2014
Dec 6, 2014 at 8:38 PM UTC
Janice
sans red beret
walked with you
to Bedlam Park
where you swam
in the open air
swimming pool
(she swam
you tried
but failed)
there in her
green swimsuit
her arms pulling her
through water
her hands
pushing away
the water’s skin
while you stood
waist deep
gazing at her skills
her wet hair
her bright eyes
you gingerly standing
feet on the bottom
feeling the water’s
pull and push
come on
she said
try to swim
be brave
and you dived forward
into the water
and splashed
and sunk
like some broken boat
water in your eyes
and ears
you rose
helped by Janice
to the surface
choking
and spluttering
wiping water
from your stinging eyes
she had her hand
in yours
holding you steady
keeping you balanced
she apologised
for not helping
should have helped
she said
not just stood
and stared
and you gazed at her
through wet eyes
forming an image
making sense
of the shape of her
her eyes on you
her damp hair limp
against her skin
o mermaid of the deep
you said
where is your tail?
and she laughed
and took you
by the hand
into the shallower water
her warm hand
in yours
her thin fingers
clutching
her damp swimsuit
dripping
try here
in less deeper water
she said
and let go
of your hand
and she lowered herself
into the water
and showed you how
to put your body so
and hands and arms
to move and legs
to kick and push
but all you could hold
in mind
could bring to bear
was her beauty
swimming there.
May 3, 2013
May 3, 2013 at 2:32 AM UTC
Mr Finn
was talking
history
Saxon stuff
battlements
and castles
listening
I recalled
the toy fort
that I got
for my 6th
birthday gift
with coloured
lead soldiers
some with swords
some with bows
and arrows
and after
the school day
on the way
home I asked
Janice if
she'd like to
see my fort
you've a fort?
a real fort?
she asked me
as we walked
together
along St
George's Road
it's a toy
fort I got
for my 6th
birthday gift
has it got
a drawbridge?
sure it has
and towers?
5 if you
count the one
over the
drawbridge I
informed her
I'd love to
see your fort
she said so
I took her
to the flat
where I lived
and showed her
the toy fort
and soldiers
and we sat
on the floor
and my mum
brought us drinks
of Tizer
and biscuits
and Janice
said to me
maybe you'd
like to see
my dollies
at my place
Gran likes you
then we can
have a tea
party with
my dollies
I liked her
but going
to a doll's
tea party
how could a
young boy live
that one down
if the boys
on the block
found that out
so I said
maybe one
day I might
when there's not
a moon out
in the night.
Jun 11, 2015
Jun 11, 2015 at 7:28 AM UTC
London Zoo?
Janice's gran said
when I told her
that Janice could come
to London Zoo with us
Yes
I said
Mum said to ask you
her gran looked at me
then at Janice
best come in Benedict
and we can talk it over
London Zoo
she said to herself
as much to Janice and me
Janice was by
the front door
her eyes bright
as the sun
on a dew leaf
her mouth
slightly ajar
take a seat
for a moment Benedict
Gran said
gosh
Janice said
that'd be good
I've not been
to London Zoo before
well I did go
to that zoo on holiday
but it was ever so small
and never had
big animals in it
did it Gran?
Her gran sat down
on an armchair
and said
no it didn't
you are right Janice
it was too small
but London Zoo
now there is
a zoo
she said
Janice sat down
next to me
her hands together
as if she was praying
that her gran
would agree
and not find
a reason for her
not to go
how much
would it cost?
her gran asked
no idea
Mum didn't say
she just said
asked Janice's gran
if she could go
I see
said her gran
looking at me
with her eyes
but they were her
kind eyes
not the eyes
she wore sometimes
if she was angry
with Janice
over something
when are you going?
she asked
Sunday week
I said
she looked at Janice
with her eyes
and Janice looked back
with her eyes
almost pleading
after church?
Gran asked
o yes after church
I said
not saying
that I didn't go
to church often
on a Sunday
certainly not
with my old man
and now and again
if my mother
wasn't too tired
who's going
with you?
her gran asked
I told her
my mother
and sister
and brother
and maybe
my old man
she nodded her head
a strand of hair
came loose
from her bun of hair
and her eyes
looked at Janice
well if Janice
has been good
up until then
I don't see why not
her gran said
o good
Janice said
I smiled and said
I'll tell Mum
your answer
but on the provider
that Janice has been good
Gran said
with a shake
of her grey haired head.
Mar 30, 2015
Mar 30, 2015 at 3:25 AM UTC
Janice you thought
prettier than Helen
more refined
whose voice
was softly spoken
as if her words
had been fresh baked
in an oven
in her mouth
and her hair fair
and well groomed
but Helen had
that down to earthiness
that brought her
closer to you
and something about
her thin framed
thick lens glasses
made her seem
more lovable
to your boyish world
and she stared at you
through them
and smiled
that shy smile
and said things
with a rough edge
as if she’d bounced
the words around
before she uttered them aloud
you can come to tea
and we’ll have bread and jam
and a big mug of tea
or if mum’s remembered
lemonade
she said at playtime
in the playground
out of hear shot
of the other boys
who kicked ball
or who swapped cards
or threw marbles
along the ground
or fought battles
with imaginary swords
or shot pretend bullets
from rat-a-tat guns
and she said
to entice you more
you can see my new doll
my dad brought back
from the store
ok
you said
sure
and she smiled
and her nose creased up
and her glasses moved
and some small place
in your chest thumped
like furniture being dropped
or a bed being bounced
in some small hotel
and you watched her
go off to play skip rope
that thin framed
thick lens glasses
working-class
school girl.
Apr 10, 2012
Apr 10, 2012 at 4:09 AM UTC
"Janice, I sat next to you in Latin.
We were sophomores.
You were a cheerleader
but smart too.
The excitement was unbearable
(Cicero; the shape of your sweater . . . ).
I asked you to play tennis."
"You did never."
"Yes, I did."
"I suppose I didn't want to get sweaty."
"So then you would have gone with me to a movie?"
"No, I doubt it. . . . I was a brat."
"You were divine.
I wrote a poem for you in Latin."
"Lynda, we met at The Three Penny Opera.
You were an usher.
I was a college student; you were in high school."
"Yes, a 'townie'."
"I put my arm around you.
I stroked your hair.
When I tried to kiss you on the forehead our noses collided."
"I was expecting a lip kiss."
"It was a powerful attraction,
but it wouldn't have worked."
"No, we could have made great love,
but it wouldn't have lasted."
"Gina, you lived on that 'hippie farm'
at the edge of town.
I was the 'knowing elder',
the one who'd worked on a real farm.
You were so high-energy, so alluring.
Guys flocked to you:
William and Michael; Davy, back home;
sexually involved with all of them."
"Not Michael really."
"You seduced me--
I think you wanted to make William jealous--
not that I was unwilling. . . .
I was, however, impotent."
"I wanted adventure and, yes, I suppose I did want to make
William jealous."
"Our intimacy awakened me.
I realized what I'd been missing.
Your rejection was devastating."
"I didn't mean to hurt you.
I didn't know you were so fragile."
"Carla, I loved you in your apartment.
It was all softness and warmth;
**** carpet, soft bed,
Carole King on the stereo. . . .
We slept together, showered together."
"I really listened to Carole King?"
"Your parents were divorcing.
You didn't have time for a relationship."
"I don't think I was ready."
"Just as I was overcoming my impotency. . . ."
"Sarah, I loved you on a camping trip.
We kissed at dusk in the Great Smoky Mountains."
"I remember."
"I felt so connected--
physically, intellectually, emotionally.
You smiled with your whole face, with your whole being.
I wanted to be with you steadily.
You said it wouldn't work.
I guess you were right:
I couldn't love someone who couldn't love me completely.
When we parted,
I cried uncontrollably."
"Yes,
I remember."
Dec 1, 2021
Dec 1, 2021 at 11:00 PM UTC
You walked down Bath Terrace
having been to Jail Park
on the swings
and slide with Janice
and she had her red beret
on the side of her head
like some French girl
I nearly bayoneted
my old man last night
you said
I had my toy rifle
he brought me
with the rubber bayonet
and I was charging out
of the sitting room
into the passage
and caught him
in the guts
as he entered the room
what you doing?
he asked
I was bayoneting Germans I told him
I’m not German he said
I’m your father
and he stormed off
into the sitting room
to his favourite chair
by the fire
and I stood there thinking
it’s only a toy gun
and I was only having fun
Janice looked at you
and said
if I’d done that
to Gran she’d have spanked
my backside
but you wouldn’t
have had a rifle
with a rubber bayonet
you said
girls don’t have rifles
with bayonets
I might have done
she said
ok
you said
you can borrow mine
and see what happens
no thanks
Janice said
I know what would happen
you climbed over
the metal fence
by Banks House
and sat on the concrete remains
of the bomb shelter
looking toward the coalwarf
where coal wagons
were being loaded
with black sacks of coal
and the horses stood there
in front patiently
eating from nosebags
Janice was sitting pretty
in her red beret
her hair tied
in a ponytail
her coat buttoned up
to the neck
talking about her gran
and the pet bird
in the cage
and you listened
to her taking in
her hands on her knees
her small fingers
not the kind
to hold a rifle
with a rubber bayonet
more the kind
to hold a baby
or rock a cradle
or stroke brow
you wanted to ask her
for a cowgirl’s kiss
but didn’t know how.
Apr 10, 2013
Apr 10, 2013 at 3:26 PM UTC
Janice folds
the paper
as Benny
had shown her
it becomes
a small boat
she could float
in the bath
in the flat
if her gran
allows her
to float it
in water
for bathing
she holds it
between thumb
and fingers
put that down
her gran says
get undressed
for your bath
the water
is just right
(she had boiled
the water
in the old
steel copper)
Janice puts
the paper
made-up boat
on the side
of the bath
and watches
as she slow
undresses
come along
her gran says
don't day dream
or I'll slap
your backside
8 years old
or older
Janice takes
off clothes
and gets in
the water
can I float
my paper
made-up boat
in the bath
Janice says
if you must
her gran says
steely eyed
that Benny's
contraption
I suppose
he showed me
Janice says
how to make
the small boat
as they both
(Janice and Gran)
watch it float.
Jul 24, 2016
Jul 24, 2016 at 1:39 AM UTC
She wore her red beret
at an angle
tilted slightly
her hair flowed
from the back
and sides
she had just ridden
my blue
two wheeled
scooter
then sat beside me
on the grass
the blue scooter
resting against the wall
I wonder if people hid
in the bomb shelters?
she said
if the air-raid sirens
went off they would
have done
I said
looking at the shelters
over the way
bet it was dark
in there and spiders
and such
she said
better than being
blown apart
by a bomb
I said
I gave her
one of my sherbet
flying saucer sweets
she put it
in her mouth
and *******
up her eyes
sour
she said
I smiled
gets you
like that
the first time around
she opened her eyes
guess so
she said
she watched
as I put one
in my mouth
and sensed
the sherbet explode
on the tongue
then chewed
the outer softness
can I have another?
Janice asked
sitting there
head to one side
sure
I said
and offered her
the bag
she put two
of her thin fingers in
and took out
a sweet
I noticed
how blue
her eyes were
like small oceans
each reflecting
the summer sky
she wiped
her fingers
on her orange dress
leaving a white sherbet
damp powdery mess.
Mar 21, 2014
Mar 21, 2014 at 5:38 PM UTC
On the third day
of the holidays
you met Janice
half way up Bath Terrace
at the entrance to the flats
where she lived with her gran
she was dressed in her red beret
yellow flowered cotton dress
white socks and brown sandals
she smiled when she saw you
and said
feared you might not show
I told you I’d be here
you said
she looked at you
and said
I know
but some people say things
but don’t show
I’m not some people
if I say I’ll be here
I’ll be here
you said
glad you’re here
she said
Gran doesn’t like me
going out alone
she says there are strange men
out there who take kids off
and do things to them
and ****** them
yes
you said
I read about that boy
they found murdered
near here
she looked concerned
don’t worry
you’re with me
my mum told me
where to kick them
if they try anything on
oh
Janice said as you both
walked up to the top
of the terrace
to Harper Road
where’re we going?
she asked
a bombed out
butcher’s shop
you replied
isn’t that dangerous?
she asked
not if we’re careful
where we tread
you said
isn’t that breaking
and entering?
she asked
no we don’t break in
you said
we walk in
the back gate
it’s not locked
oh
she said
looking concerned
we won’t get into trouble
will we? Gran said
she’d tan my backside
if I got into trouble
would I get you into trouble?
you asked
guess not
she said softly
you crossed
Harper Road
and went round the back
of the bombed out
butcher’s shop
and opened the gate
and entered
into an empty yard
you shut the gate
after you
and she stood gaping
at the back of the shop
you showed her
the large walk in freezer
where meat had once
been kept
now empty
smelling of ****
and damp
what if you got locked in?
she said
the lock’s busted
you said
oh I see
she replied
her eyes large
and her mouth open
in wonder
you took her into
the shop now empty
apart from a large table
with a marble top
where meat
had once been cut
and chopped up
it stinks
she said
yes tramps get in
sometime and shelter
for the night
are they here now?
she asked nervously
no they go off
in the day
you said
giving her
a smile
you took her up
the creaking stairs
to the upper landing
where the sky
shone through the roof
where a bomb
had fallen in
gosh
she said
how weird
one of the rooms
had an old bed frame
pushed in a corner
and the roof
was still there
except where a few tiles
had gone
someone slept there once
she said
and now
they’re probably dead
you took her hand
and walked her
to the window
and looked out
on Harper Road
people would have looked out
of this window too
you said
sad isn’t it
she said
and you sensed
her lay
on your shoulder
her fair haired
red bereted head.
Aug 24, 2012
Aug 24, 2012 at 5:57 AM UTC
The day after
Janice’s gran
had taken you
to see the film
The Ten Commandments
you had gone with Janice
to Jail Park
to ride the swings
and she talked of the film
and the parting
of the Red Sea
and the drowning
of the Pharaoh’s men
and the horses
and the writing
on the two tablets
of stone
shame the horses
had to drown too
she said
they hadn’t done
anything wrong
it’s a matter of being
in the wrong place
at the wrong time
you said
but those poor horses
they didn’t ask
to be the Pharaoh’s horses
you swung high
on the swing
your feet reaching up
towards the sky
Janice was beside you
she wasn’t swinging so high
and those poor slaves
she added pushing
her swing higher
by moving her legs
and arms
why were there slaves?
why can’t people
be nice to each other?
I can imagine Cogan
in my class
being a bit of a pharaoh
given the chance
the fat ***
you said
maybe he’s not
treated right at home
she said
maybe that’s why
he’s like that
no he’s just a prat
you said
who likes to bully
other kids
does he bully you?
she asked
he promises
to smash my face in
but when I waited
for him the other day
after school
he didn’t show
you said
my gran said
to be kind to people
and try to see
their better side
Janice said
I do try
you said
but his ugly dial
gets in the way
and she laughed
and said
we mustn’t laugh
it’s a shame when people
have to bully others
I’m sure he’s got
a good side
your feet were now
almost touching
the sky’s rim
well if he has
he must keep it
in his pants
you said
she smiled
and shook her head
her brown sandals
and white socks
seemed to scrape
the sky’s skin
but gran said
Janice almost sang
that none of us
is free of sin
and her voice drifted off
into the blue
just the two swings
on that Monday morning
and Janice
and you.
Jun 17, 2013
Jun 17, 2013 at 2:29 AM UTC