NOW WANTING IT MORE.A Poem by Terry CollettA BOY AND GIRL IN LONDON IN 1959 AND LIFE AND LOVE AND STRIFE
Fay sat opposite Naaman on the bus
from outside the cinema to London Bridge her fair hair tied in a ponytail at the back wearing the lime coloured dress that Naaman liked the white open sandals touching at the toes she was quiet and looked out the window as the bus moved off Naaman studied her profile the way her hair was drawn back and tied with a black ribbon her ear with the small ear ring her pale cheek the eye blue and gazing out one hand over the other on her lap the nails clean and neatly clipped the bus stopped and started and people got off and on talking staring some standing most sitting when the bus came to London Bridge they got off and crossed the road and down by the Thames where they stood looking at the passing water you’re quiet today Naaman said looking at her beside him her elbows resting on the low stone wall I was almost not allowed to come she said why? he said because the nuns said I hadn’t performed as well as they had expected in my tests at school she said and so what happened? he asked my father was adamant I was to stay home and work at my school work she said but my mother said I could do that when I came back and that it was only fair that I have some time of relaxation and that caused a row and then after fuming and slamming around the house he relented and said I could go out providing the visit to London Bridge had some historical merit and I said it had and that I was going with you she paused and looked away at a sailing boat going by and then what? Naaman asked he wasn’t happy about that she replied but I said you knew history of the Bridge and were going to show me things and he said do you have to go with the Jew boy? I said I liked you and he said but his lot killed Jesus and so on Naaman gazed at her lips as she spoke he liked the way her lips moved as she talked her eyes were bright with an inner anger then what did he do or say? Naaman asked he said I could go but if he heard any bad reports there’d be trouble and to know what to expect she sighed he knew what was meant but said nothing how about something to eat and drink? he asked I’ve only got 1/-6d she said which my mother gave me on the quiet I’ve got money he said my mum gave me for chores I did so they walked along the embankment to a cafe and ordered two cokes and shared sandwiches and sat and talked and watched boats and ships pass by on the river she dreading going home to her father’s possible chastisement but not saying he thinking of the Roman fort across the water centuries before she looking at Naaman thinking of the kiss last time now wanting it more. © 2013 Terry Collett |
StatsAuthorTerry CollettUnited KingdomAboutTerry Collett has been writing since 1971 and published on and off since 1972. He has written poems, plays, and short stories. He is married with eight children and eight grandchildren. on January 27t.. more..Writing
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