TO BRIGHTEN UP HER DAY.

A BOY AND GIRL IN 1950S LONDON AND THE BUS RIDE.

On Tuesday
of the summer holidays
you walked with Fay
to the bus stop

on the New Kent Road
where are we going?
she asked
up West

you said
up West?
yes my old man
takes me there

a lot at weekends
you said
what's there?
she asked

o theatres
cinemas
museums
art galleries

shops and parks
that kind of thing
where are we going?
I thought I'd show you

the National Gallery
in Trafalgar Square
then maybe sit
with a bag of chips

and lemonade
in Leicester Square
in the small park area there
o

she said
but I haven't any money
that's ok
you said

I've got money
from my old man
for shining his shoes
he pays you

for doing that?
she said
he pays me
pocket money anyway

you said
it's just that I do these
small jobs now and then
o

she said
the bus came along
and you both got on
and the bus moved off

you sat beside her
on the side seats
near the back entrance
you paid the bus conductress

the fares and she gave
you both tickets
Fay gazed at hers
can we keep these?

she said
sure you can
you said
they're paid for

she put the ticket
into her skirt pocket
and sat looking around her
you liked the skirt

it had red
and yellow flowers on it
and matched
the white blouse

she was wearing
the movement of the bus
made you sway
side to side

and sometimes
back and forward
now and then
your shoulder

touched her shoulder
or her elbow
touched against yours
she said her mum was ok

about her going
but said keep with Benedict
and don't talk to strange men
well that should count out

a good proportion of them
you said
she laughed quietly
and looked out

of the window
as the bus crossed
the bridge over
the Thames

as the bus stopped
on the other side
of the bridge
to let passengers off

a man touched her thigh
as he went by
but then was gone
before she could speak

that man touched me
she whispered to you
what man?
you asked

looking at the people
getting off the bus
I couldn't see him
quick enough

he was gone
in the crowd
before I could see him
she looked unsettled

and pulled her skirt
over her knees
you walked
to the back window

of the bus
and peered out
but none of the men
looked back

are you getting off
or what?
the bus conductress said
some man touched

my friend's leg
you said
and I was just looking
if I could see him

well did you?
she asked
no he's gone
you said

the bus conductress
sat beside Fay
and said
we get all sorts

on these buses Lovey
if I'd seen him
he'd have got what for
and she patted Fay

on the arm
and walked off
to take more fares
you sat beside Fay

and said
best say nothing
to you mum or dad
or they'll not

let you out again
I wouldn't tell them anyway
she said
my father'd say

I must have encouraged him
and he'd call me names
and keep me
in after school

for weeks
or give me a hiding
as a lesson
she looked away

don't forget the chips
and lemonade
and art
you said

trying to brighten up
the rest
of her
God given day.

Reviews

[Glen Yumang Manese]

SEEMS TO FIT LIKE THE REST OF YOUR WORKS...OF COURSE YOU HAVE A THEME WITH YOUR WRITINGS...YOU KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AND YET YOU DO NOT GET THE FULL STORY UNTIL THE ENDING...OF EACH VERSE...

[Terry Collett]

Thank you, Glen.

[Glen Yumang Manese]

you're welcome...