NATURE STUDY 1961

A BOY AND GIRL GO NATURE STUDYING IN 1961

I see her
sitting there
on the gate

at the back
of the two
cottages

she's waiting
patiently
morning sun

on her head
of dark hair
her thin hands

in her lap
I come out
the back door

having had
my breakfast
she climbs down

from the gate
her grey dress
is knee length

she wears black
Wellingtons
with mud stains

been here long?
I ask her
no not long

Jane replies
I rode down
on my bike

glad you're here
I tell her
I was up

at the farm
getting milk
we hold hands

her thin hand
has a chill
about it

I rub it
with my thumb
let's go see

if that old
bullfinch nest
is still there

she suggests
if you like
I reply

(I cannot
imagine
that Lizbeth

would ever
suggest that
she only

suggests
things
sexual)

we walk down
the side lane
by the stream

flowing down
narrowing
as it goes

bullfinches
are so sweet
Jane tells me

as we reach
where the nest
is hidden

in a bush
are there eggs?
I ask her

she looks in
carefully
yes there are

there are 4
she tells me
they're glossy

and light blue
with purplish
markings there

at one end
I watch her
as she leans

in the bush
her dark hair
shoulder length

her slim waist
huggable
mustn't touch

them of course
she informs
or the hen

bird will not
return here
in my mind

I embrace
her body
kiss her neck

feel her near
it's so good
being near

to nature
she suggests
yes it is

the closer
the better
I reply

her image
captured there
in my eye.