SPLENDID DAY 1964

A BOY AND GIRL AT THE END OF A SPLENDID DAY IN 1964

It was time to cycle home
after spending a good part
of the day with Milka
and the latter part

with her family
(two of her brothers
had been ribbing her
about being with me

their old workmate)
we stood by the door
of the farmhouse
looking up

at the evening sky
at stars
and a quarter moon
the TV sounding

from the lounge
her mother's voice
moaning to one
of her sons

about something or other
good day
Milka said
it was

I said
nearly good caught
in bed together
and then you left

your bloody handkerchief
in my bed
and Mum nearly saw it
Milka said

staring at me
made it exciting though
I said gazing at her
standing in the frame

of the doorway
it wouldn't have been exciting
if she had found us at it
nor if she found

your handkerchief
with a B in the corner
in my bed
Milka said

guess not
I said
she stepped out
from the doorway

and closed the door
after her
she put her arms
around me

and kissed me on the lips
I sensed her lips on mine
and placed my arms
around her waist

my hands on her butt
what if she had found us
I said moving away
briefly from her lips

would she have been jealous?
no she would not
have been jealous
she would have slapped my arse

and God knows
what she'd have done to you
Milka said
her warm breath on me

her hands clutching me closer
just as well she didn't then
I said
we kissed again

then the door opened
behind us
and her father stood there
and said

say your goodnight
you and Benny
and best be off
it's getting late

yes you're right
I said
parting from Milka
and nodding a goodnight

to them both
by the doorway
the stars blinking
the quarter moon

looking on
bye
Milka said
and waved then

she went indoors
with her father
and the door closed
and I got on my bike

and peddled away
musing on us
in bed
and a splendid day.