ALICE AND THE SECRET KISS.A Poem by Terry CollettA YOUNG GIRL IN 1890 AND HER NEWLY ADOPTED MOTHER BELOW STAIRSAlice sits in the room with blackboard and easel and small desk and small chair with Nanny stern and strict pointing at the blackboard with her stick teaching her her letters the grammar paragraphs sentences by long rote and command and Alice knows now that any cause of Nanny's discontent will bring her punishment her father's hard hand smacks whack and whack she sits still taking note but bored she stares out high windows at tall tree tops and blue skies thinking of her mother locked away (ill in her head Nanny coldly said) then she thinks of her new adoptive mother who works below stairs(low stairs her father often says) the one with the red raw fingers thin and young who secretly said she would be her new adopted mother but to strive to learn to do her best and so she does but thinks of the time when lessons are over she can sneak down below stairs and along passageways to where her adoptive new mother works and feel her embrace her earthy smell her soft cheek against that rough cloth of apron the red fingers caressing her long hair whispering words but still the nanny drones on the lesson now taking its toll boredom sinking in wishing her adoptive mother would come and take her away for a walk to the horse stables or into town holding her hand the red hand holding her pink one or dreams of snuggling up to her in her bed feeling her motherly tender warmth but Nanny still drones on the long lesson word on word keeping her from the arms and caress and earthy smell of cloth of her new adoptive young mother below stairs Alice yawns secretly her small hand over mouth knowing this blowing soft from her palm to her young adoptive mother a secret kiss. © 2014 Terry Collett |
StatsAuthorTerry CollettUnited KingdomAboutTerry Collett has been writing since 1971 and published on and off since 1972. He has written poems, plays, and short stories. He is married with eight children and eight grandchildren. on January 27t.. more..Writing
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