SUMMER DAY MEETING 1961

A BOY MEETS AGIRL IN ACOUNTRY LANE IN 1961

The narrow country lane
with high hedgerows
with whistling birds
and the far off sound
of a tractor in a field.

Benny walked close
to the edge
in case vehicles
came along.

He was going to meet
Jane by the lane
to the church.

He'd just helped
get the cows in
from the fields
and helped weigh
the milk.

He passed two cottages
on his left
where a boy lived
who said he didn't
like Londoners
and Benny said
tough luck
and now the boy
didn't speak
but gave him
black looks.

The tractor stopped
the field was quiet
birds flew
from hedgerows
in the distance.

He saw Jane
waiting for him
dressed in a cotton
flowered dress
and her black hair
tied in two bunches.

She smiled
when she saw him
and his heart
thumped harder
as he came close.

A feast for his eyes
her beautiful figure
and face.

The tractor began again
the sound coming
across the field
and hedgerows
which stood upright
like soldiers in rows.