VISITING THE BRIDGE

A BOY AND GIRL VISIT WESTMINSTER BRIDGE IN LONDON IN 1950S

I probably shouldn't
come this far from home
Fay says

we stand
by Westminster Bridge
gazing over
at Big Ben

it's not far
only a bus ride
from home
besides you've got
to see the world

she seems unsettled
but if Daddy finds out
he'll be mad
because I never asked
his permission

say I took you

that will make it worse
he doesn't like you
she says it softly
looking down
at the Thames

the feelings mutual
but I still like
being with you

she looks pretty
in her pink
flowered dress
and her fair hair
tied in a pony tail

I like being with you
but it's just
he gets mad
if I don't ask
his permission
to do things

if you asked him
he'd not let you go
I say

I know
she says
that's what
I'm afraid of

well don't tell him

he might find out

who's going to tell him?

I don't know
he just seems to know

enjoy the day
forget him
I say
we can go see
Westminster Abbey
and you can say
you went into pray

he'll say it not
a Catholic church
anymore
it doesn't count

what God only listens
to prayers
from a Catholic church?

she smiles
it's what he thinks
not me

forget him
enjoy the now
here together
watching the boats
on the Thames
the bridge
the people passing
the sunshine

she nods
and we walk over
the Bridge to go
visit the Abbey

and maybe later
buy an ice cream each
far from her old man's
eyes and his
narrow minded reach
and eyes so cold
after all
we were just kids
aged 12 years old.