WHAT OTHERS MAY THINK.

A boy and girl and life and love in 1960

Apart from the water tower

and the farm

 

and a few scattered cottages

there were no other buildings

 

for a mile or more

just you and Jane

 

and birds in the early morning sky

I like it at this time of day

 

she said

I like the fresh smell of nature

 

and the farm

and having few people about

 

you walked beside her down the lane

that led away from the farm

 

you noticed how her black hair

seemed freshly washed

 

and blew slightly in the mild wind

does you father mind

 

you being out with me?

you asked softly

 

he doesn’t know

she replied

 

he thinks I came out alone

for a morning walk

 

why didn’t you tell him?

you asked

 

he was busy writing his Sunday sermon

and it was easier to just go out

 

and not disturb him

she said looking around at you

 

her eyes studying you

as she walked on down the lane

 

would he mind you being with me?

you asked

 

I don’t think he knows you as yet

seeing as you have only moved here

 

a few months and don’t come

to the church

 

you stopped and took her hand in yours

it was warm and soft

 

and pulsed with life

she looked at your hand

 

holding hers and she rubbed

her thumb over the back

 

of your hand

you wanted to kiss her lips

 

or cheek just to feel

her flesh on yours

 

but you didn’t you just looked at her

and waited to see

 

what she would do next

she let go of your hand

 

and looked around her

there might be people looking

 

from those cottages up there

she said suddenly pointing up

 

at the rising bank which went up

to two cottages high up

 

if they see us they may tell Father

and then it would be awkward

 

and he might suspect things

and then she went quiet

 

and looked at the running stream

by the lane

 

but we haven’t done anything

we just walk out and talk

 

and hold hands now and then

it’s not what we do

 

it’s what others think we do

she said softly

 

and stood looking at you

waiting for you to speak

 

but you said nothing

just leaned in close to her

 

and kissed her cheek

and said

 

even Christ permitted kisses

even the one from Judas

 

and she smiled

and the early morning sun

 

pushed through trees

and shone on her hair

 

and there was the sound of birds

singing in the air.