ALMOST WITH VERA 1969

A MAN AND A WOMAN AND HER HUSBAND'S EARLY RETURN IN 1969

Vera sits by the window
with my book reading
I sit on the blue sofa
looking through

the art magazine
I found on her coffee table
she's wearing the purple
sleeveless dress

and a black long
sleeved top underneath
I suppose your old man'll
be back later?

I ask
much later
she says
turning a page

can I keep
this copy to read?
she asks
sure you can

I say
I love poetry
she says
she puts the book

on the coffee table
and sits beside me
on the sofa
how often do you

write poetry?
everyday
I say
well most days

she takes the art magazine
from my hands
and lays it on the table
and says

do you want to?
want to what?
you know what
we did last time?

sure
I say
here or in
the spare bed?

she asks
how about
your big bed?
I ask

no best not
he can smell so well
he'd smell another man
like a dog does a rabbit

she says
ok here's fine
I say
I'll get us a drink first

she says
and goes off
to the kitchen
and I look around

the room
then the front door opens
and a man's voice says
I'm back early Vera

the boss said
I deserve it
I sit up and pick up
the magazine

and scan a page
the guy comes
into the lounge
and sees me

who are you?
he asks
I look up
from the magazine

just as Vera
rushes in
with two glasses
of booze

Eddie how comes
you're home early?
who's he?
he asks

looking at Vera
then at me
I'm Johnny I work
with your wife

and I brought around a copy
of my new book
I say
couldn't you have

given it to her at work?
he asks
( I'd often wished that
but there was little privacy)

well I was passing
so I thought I'd drop it off
I say
well ok

he says
looking at the glasses
best drink up and be off
I guess you're busy

he says
Vera passes me a glass
and gives the other
to her old man

good to see you
home early
she says
maybe we can

go out for dinner
sure
he says
eyeing me up

I sip my drink and say
well I won't outstay
my welcome
but never like

to rush a good wine
that's all right
he says
I'll just go change

into something fresh
and off he goes
Vera pulls a sad face
and I'm glad

he never came
a few minutes later
or we'd both
have lost our grace.

Author's Note

ART BY MARC CHALME