WON THE` GAME 1955

KIDS PLAYING CARDS IN LONDON 1955

You and Helen played Snap
on the grass in front of Banks
House, the cards landing on
the grass where you tossed
them in play. Snap! Helen
said, two of the baker, Benny.

You nodded and she took
the cards from the grass.

She had more cards than
you now, and she seemed
pleased, shuffling the cards
in her small 7 year old hands.

You shuffled yours in your
7 year old hands, your fingers
nimble. You gazed at her as
she sat there crossed legged,
her hair plaited into two plaits,
her thick lens glasses making
her eyes large. She began
and put down a card, you
followed her, then her again.

Over the way coal trucks
were being loaded with coal,
a few horse drawn wagons
stood there also, the horses
standing patiently, wearing
nose bags. I'm going to the
flicks this afternoon, you said,
you want to come? She stopped
and held the card in mid air.

I'll ask Mum if I can go, Helen
said, looking at you with her
large eyes, what is the film
about? You placed a card down.

Cowboy film, should be good,
you said. She looked at the cards
on the grass, then back at you:
I hope I can go, she said. Snap!
You said, seeing two cards the same,
distracted she looked at you
saying: you've won the game.