FOREIGN LAND BIRDS 1916

A HOUSE MAID IN LONDON IN 1916 AND HERE THOUGHTS ON HER LIFE.

Polly stands
by the back door
of the house

to get some air
after emptying
the chamber-pots

of those upstairs
and scrubbing out
and now she takes

a huge intake
of morning air
fresh biting

with the scent
of flowers there
and far off traffic

from the city
and Susie poor b***h
in the kitchen

with the cook moaning
at her because
the stove

is playing up
Polly leans against the wall
feels the bricks

against her back
and backside
recalling the previous night

with Susie in the bed
in the attic
snuggling up

to keep warm
and Susie hugging her
for dear life

and kissing
her my neck
the silly mare

and o to breath
in this fresh
morning air

to sense it fill
my lungs to drive away
the chamber-pot stink

and Master George
still far away
recovering from the war

at Front
and missing him
while he's home

making love to me
in his bed
warm kisses and hugs

and whispered words
soft and gentle
like foreign land birds.