I'VE BEEN WAITING

A BOY AND GIRL AT SCHOOL DURING LUNCH RECESS IN 1962

I've been waiting
all morning
all through boring
brain-muddling lessons
to see you
Yiska says

as I go onto
the school sports field
during lunch recess

and I was hoping
against hope
that it wouldn't rain
and keep us indoors

well I’m here now
I say
let's go walk together
up field

so we walk pass
boys kicking ball
and girls skip-roping
or sitting in groups
talking and laughing

and she says
if my mother moans
one more time
about my room
being untidy
I’m going to spit blood
after all
it's my room
my mess
you’ve been in there
that time
do you think
it's so messy?

I could live with it
I guess

well there you go
that's it
living with it
but no
my mother
has to have a go
your room's so untidy
what will
the neighbours say?
she says
the neighbours
aren't going to see
my darn room
I tell her

we reach the upper fence
of the field
and stop
and turn around
and look at the kids
on the field
and the school
in the background

how's your room?
she asks

it's ok
I share with my brother
we keep it tidyish

she looks at me
wish you could come
to my room again

maybe I will
when you invite me
one lunch time
I say

I will ask my mother
when she's in
her upper mood

she looks at the field
and kids

no one's looking

and she kisses me
and I sense a slit
in the universe
and a sliver of light
open up
inside my head
and stirs me
else place
as no doubt
she can see
on my young face.