WAITING FOR LYDIA.

WAITING FOR LYDIA.

A Poem by Terry Collett
"

A BOY AND GIRL IN 1950S LONDON

"

Lydia's mother
opened the door
of the flat
after I had knocked

and gave me
a stern stare
is Lydia coming out?
I asked

she looked hard
at me
where?
to the herbalist

get some sarsaparilla
I said
sarsaparilla?
she said

yes it's good for you
they say
makes blood
I said

she looked
at my scuffed shoes
and blue jeans
and the gun and holster

hanging
from the snake head
elastic belt
around my waist

I suppose she can
her mother said
LYDIA
she bellowed

windows rattled
a dog
across the Square
barked

the milkman's horse
lifted its head
from the nosebag
Lydia came to the door

and poked her head
out from under
her mother's arm
Benedict here

wants to take you
to get a sarsaparilla
Lydia looked at you
her eyes narrowing

then widening
ok
she said
can I go?

she asked
course if I say so
as long
as you are wrapped warmer

than you are now
her mother said
Lydia rushed back inside
and her mother

took a long drag
of a cigarette
her yellowing fingers
in a V shape

what's your father
do for a living?
she asked
the smoke carrying

her words to me
he's a metal worker
I said
he makes things

from metal
she stared at me
a few loose hairs
had escaped

the flowery scarf
about her head
I think
he frequents w****s

she said
I see
I said
unsure

what she was saying
she inhaled
on the cigarette again
her eyes

gazing beyond me
keep Lydia out
a fair while
she said

pushing out smoke
I want to rest
my eyes a while
ok

I said
she went indoors
and I waited for Lydia
sniffing in the smoke

hanging about
the doorstep
the dog barked again
the horse ate

from the nosebag
the milkman whistled
a few notes
from some tune

I sniffed the smoke again
hoping Lydia
would be out
wrapped warm soon.

© 2014 Terry Collett


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Featured Review

So much life swirling around in each of your poems, this time, via a cigarette! This write sketched a very detailed scene in my mind...it would be so neat if each of your vignettes could be magically transformed onto a reel so the world could see them all!

Posted 10 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Terry Collett

10 Years Ago

Thank you, Penday. London in 1950s seems a whole world away from now. Manner, kids, horse drawn milk.. read more
Penlady

10 Years Ago

Absolutely was a whole world away...even in this country...when you write your poetry I can always p.. read more
Terry Collett

10 Years Ago

Me neither, Penlady.



Reviews

So much life swirling around in each of your poems, this time, via a cigarette! This write sketched a very detailed scene in my mind...it would be so neat if each of your vignettes could be magically transformed onto a reel so the world could see them all!

Posted 10 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Terry Collett

10 Years Ago

Thank you, Penday. London in 1950s seems a whole world away from now. Manner, kids, horse drawn milk.. read more
Penlady

10 Years Ago

Absolutely was a whole world away...even in this country...when you write your poetry I can always p.. read more
Terry Collett

10 Years Ago

Me neither, Penlady.

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Added on March 4, 2014
Last Updated on March 4, 2014
Tags: BOY, 1950S, LONDON, GIRL

Author

Terry Collett
Terry Collett

United Kingdom



About
Terry 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