CONSEQUENCES 1957A Poem by Terry CollettA BOY AND GIRL IN LONDON IN 1957 AND HER FEAR OF HER FATHER.We come out of the cinema like let loose young dogs of war up and along the New Kent Road the daylight blazing into our eyes the roar of traffic in our ears and on and up by Neptune's fish shop -not to buy no more coins- and wait by the crossing both Enid and me waiting looking at the opposite side of the road at the bomb site the opening of Meadow Row good film wasn't it Enid says looking at me through wire framed spectacles her eyes bright not dull as they usually are no fear there yet of her old man traffic stops and we cross the road and then run onto and across the bomb site I'm riding my imaginary black horse shining like crude oil and she just behind riding her pretend white horse -not side saddle like some lady but like me on the saddle- the whole world stops for us we are riding a new Wild West our guns firing at advancing bad guys or maybe Injuns with tomahawks then she stops in her tracks and stands there sans horse eyes full of fear what do I tell my dad? she says he doesn't know about the cinema what do I say? I look at her my imaginary horse dissolved and I walk over to her see her visibly shaking and I've been with you too what can I tell him? she says I look at her standing there her hands holding each other her eyes fear glazed say you've been with some else to the park what have you she looks at me I can't lie he knows if I lie she says create a truth I say what do you mean? she asks tell him you've seen horses up West up West? yes West End of London but he won't believe me about that what horses he'll say be creative tell him some of what you've seen she frowns about the horses? yes be inventive with it she thinks and we walk down Meadow Row she looking at the ground mind in thought I look at her walking there knowing she'll not get it right no talent for the invented word her old man will whack her sure and as we walk up through the Square I see him on the balcony standing by his door. © 2015 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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