PICNIC PARK 1958

A BOY AND GIRL ON A PICNIC IN A LONDON PARK IN 1958

Benedict
and Ingrid
sit on grass

in the park
a picnic
before them

(his mother
provided
sandwiches

and some cake)
he brought drinks
of soft pop

there's sunshine
above them
puffy clouds

did your mum
allow you
to come out?

Benny asks
not at first
but after

she said yes
but not to
tell my dad

Ingrid says
and will you?
will you tell

your old man?
Benny asks
I don't know

only if he
he asks me
where I've been

she replies
why tell him?
I can't lie

course you can
no I can't
there's silence

he sips pop
looking past
her shoulder

at some boys
playing ball
she nibbles

a sandwich
looking down
at the grass

thinking of
her father
looming large

over her
at breakfast
don't go out

with that boy
Benedict
understand?

no I won't
she'd promised
what's a lie?

Ingrid asks
Benedict
it's a truth

invented
in your head
and you must

believe it true
to be truth
he replies

shall I tell
my father
the real truth?

she asks him
of course not
he'll beat you

simply lie
and believe
its the truth

she's unsure
and eats on
he nibbles

a sandwich
she sips pop
I like you

Benedict
she utters
I like you

he replies
and they dine
they're just kids

picnicking
in a park
both aged nine.