ALWAYS TO HAVE JANE.

A BOY AND GIRL IN 1961 IN LOVE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

You walked from the Downs

having seen the sights

Jane wanted

to show you

the view of the farms

the houses

the sheep wool

caught on wire fences

the church tower

small

like some frail snail

and she talked

of birds and flowers

and having seen

this butterfly

(unknown to you)

and her finger pointing

as it fluttered by

and you took in

her dark hair

her eyes

brown lighter

in sunlight

her pale complexion

the grey dress

white socks

old shoes

(for walking on

rough places

she said)

and she showed you

the hollow tree

and you went inside

and sensed her

near you

the smell of apples

and soap

and you felt the need

to kiss her

but didn't

just let it pass

dream maybe

of having done so

and you listened

to her words

how you wanted

to take each syllable

and hold

and turn it over

like fresh fruit

and squeeze

the meaning from each

and when you reached

the lane you paused

and she smiled

and said

you're quick to learn

yes I guess I am

you said

and you took her

into the cottage

and your mother

was washing clothes

in the big copper

steam coming out

and she standing there

sweat on her forehead

and you introduced her

to Jane and they talked

and you watched

and saw how

thin she was

how small her breasts

easing against

the dress cloth

and your mother

nodding her head

and they smiled

and talked

and you wondered

how the fingers

of your mother's hands

got to be so red

and such

but guessed it must

be the water

and soap suds

and years

of washing clothes

in damp

and that old ringer

she used to have

and how you loved

to see the water squeezed

from it like clear blood

and Jane looked at you

and you wanted

to swim in her dark eyes

and find the essence

of her soul

then she looked away

and deep inside

you wanted her

always to be

and never

to go away.

Reviews

[Amy Penfold]

I loved this very much. Wonderful pace.

[Terry Collett]

Thank you, Amy.

[sivan]

beautiful ode to pure love. i like the semi romantic tones and the story that accompanies the poem... just explaining an ordinary day/moment and finding beauty therein

[Terry Collett]

Thank you, for reading & comments, sivan.

[Leeci]

wow this poem is so romantic. I love the background and the imagery you paint of a life that was so different from what we know now. There is a certain innocence in ur characters as well, beautiful poem :)

[Terry Collett]

Thank you. Leeci