IF SHE COULD.

A BOY AND GIRL IN A COUNTRYSIDE IN 1961

Lizbeth waited for me
by the milk sheds
(I’d been weighing milk
at the farm)

she was dressed
in a black skirt
and green blouse
her hair loose
about her shoulders

thought you'd never
be out
she said

how did you know
I was here?
I asked

your mum told me
when I called
at the cottage

I didn't know
you were coming
out here
in the countryside
to see me

thought I’d
surprise you
she said
didn't know
you'd be
at the farm

I do it
when I can

how can you be
near cows
they smell
she looked at me
critically
I thought
we could go
somewhere together
she said

what for?
I asked

you know
she said

don't you ever
give up on that?
I said

on what?

you know

she smiled
must be some place
we can be alone
she said

I can't think
of anywhere
I said

what about
your bedroom?

you have been
there before
I said

yes I know
but only to see
your fossils
and rabbit skulls
and butterfly collection
and Spitfire model
she said

I walked on
she followed

we could have
done things
she said

we did
we looked
at my nature collection

I didn't want
to see
your nature collection
I wanted SEX
she said loudly

a few birds
flew from the hedge
the word echoed
around the fields
about us
like thunder

maybe some
other day or time
I said
I got to home
and change
out of these clothes

she followed me moodily
through the small wood

I walked quickly
or she'd want sex
there
if she could.