WITH AUNTIE IN 1951

A BOY STAYS WITH HIS AUNTIE IN 1951 ALDERSHOT AND MEETS A GIRL.

My aunt took me
to a place where the wives
of army personnel
met for a chat and drink

somewhere in Aldershot
we went in and there were
lots of women there
some with kids

and babies
and a woman said
is he your son?
no

my aunt said
he's my sister's son
but I get lonely here
while my husband's away

fighting in North Korea
so she let me borrow him
for company now
I am reluctant

to give him back
she said
he looks quiet
and well behaved

the woman said
o he is
my aunt said
I walked off to see

other kids and look
at the babies in prams
or in their mother's arms
but most the kids are girls

and the boys don't speak
so I talk to one
of the girls
what's your name?

I asked
what's yours?
she asked
Benny

I said
she looked at me seriously
her eyes searching me
why have you got

metal grips in your hair?
she asked
my aunt puts them in
I said

why?
she asked
to keep my hair tidy
I said

she frowned
how comes you
have white socks?
she asked

girls wear white socks
boys wear grey socks
what's your name?
I asked again

Elsie
she replied
why?
so I can avoid you

next time
I said
and walked off
back to my aunt

who was sitting
drinking tea
and eating biscuits
with some woman

and I sat looking across
the room at the girl
who stared back
with an icy stare

but I looked back
and didn't care.