A DISTANT SHORE 1960

A BOY AND GIRL BY THE THAMES IN 1960

I watch you
as we sit
by the Thames
your dress silky
caught by the sun

when my mother and I
go I don't know
where we'll be
you say
and Daddy may
seek you out
supposing you know

but I won't know
I say

I know
it's best you don't
you say softly

I am sad
that you'll go
and I may not see you
for sometime
or again
and that brings
a sudden pain

can you write?
I ask

later maybe
once we're settled
some place safe
you reply

the Thames runs smooth
there are ships
and boats
and people on boats
wave and you
wave back

I look at your hair
fair tied
in a ponytail
your eyes peering out
at the River

we're only young
you say

soon 13
I say

plenty of time

time for what?
I ask

feeling kind of odd
as if I was on
a new brink of life

us together
some day
I hear you say

I don't know myself
anymore

I feel
like some stranger
sitting
on a distant shore.