HER TOAD 1960

A BOY AND GIRL IN LONDON IN 1960

I walk home
from school
with Sutcliffe

-I'd spent my bus fare
on doughnuts
that morning-

see you Sutcliffe
I say as he goes
one way and I go
the other and stand
by the Beacon crossing

I see Fay
across the road
waiting for me

once I get across
I say
how are you?

I'm ok although
one of the nuns said
we should take each day
as God's gift
and always be grateful

we walk down
Meadow Row
side by side

well I don't like
His gift of Mr Austen
at school
I say
he doesn't like me
and shows up
my attempts at pottery

I guess Sister Bridget
means in general
Fay says

guess so
I say
want to hear a joke?
I ask

not meant to listen
or tell jokes Daddy said
she says

just a joke
I say

she looks at me
her blue eyes on me
I could drink
from her eyes

ok
she says
if it's not rude

ok well
this tubby man
next to me
on the bus said
stand up and let
a lady sit down
and I said
you stand up
and let two of them
sit down

Fay looks at me  
frowning
that was unkind
she says
he couldn't help

being tubby
it didn't really happen
it was just a joke
I say

so it is a lie
as well as unkind?
she says

I sigh and say
I wish I had
your moral outlook

Fay smiles
well maybe
you will some day
and takes my hand
as we cross the road

she's my princess
and guess I'm her toad.