AFTER ADONIS BLUE 1961

A BOY AND GIRL IN THE COUNTRYSIDE IN SUMMER 1961

I've just seen
an Adonis Blue
Jane said

why was it cold?
I replied jokingly

no
she said
it's a butterfly
I saw it come over
the hedge
as I was on my way
to see you

o
I said
what's it look like?

the male is a lovely blue
and the female
is a rich
chocolate brown
she said

that figures I guess
I said

she smiled
and we walked on
along Bug's Lane
then across a field
up towards the Downs

the sky warming blue
white puffy clouds

she talked of some
up and coming
church festival
which her father
was arranging
and that she
was helping
sort the flowers
with her mother
and would I
come along

I said
yes sure

I took in her
summery dress
as we walked
her dark hair
tied in a ponytail
sandals on her feet

I tried not to stare
at her but just
casually taking it
all in listening
to what she was saying

I told her
about getting to know
the cows at the farm
by names
but it isn't easy
they look pretty much
the same some of them
but I'm getting there
I said

we paused near the top
and we sat on the grass
looking out
at the surrounding fields
and the farm
and the lane moving
like a snake
through the countryside

I feel close to you
she said suddenly
looking at me

I looked at her eyes
dark and searching

I feel close to you too
I said

I wouldn't
have let you kiss me
if I wasn't sure of you
she said
and mother wouldn't
let me meet you
if she had her doubts
but she likes you
and so let's me
come out with you

I'm glad
your mother likes me
I said
I like her too

Jane leaned in close
and kissed my cheek
it was warm
and she leaned back
and at looked at me

we gazed at each other
for a minute
then we kissed
on the lips gently
then we parted

and a butterfly
fluttered past

and she said
that's a Gatekeeper

and we watched it
flutter off across
the Downs

and our hands touched
and held
and we watched it go

was I in love
or what?
I guessed so
but didn't know.