TRAIN SET 1956

A BOY AND GIRL IN LONDON IN 1956 AND A TRAIN SET

Do you want to see
my wind up train set?
I asked Janice

we were sitting
by the wall
leading to Banks House
looking up Meadow Row
the early morning sun
brightly shining down
towards us

where'd you get it?
she asked

birthday present
from my grandparents
I said

what colour it is?

blue and black
with a few carriages
attached behind
I said

I guess so
she said
can I have a go
at winding it up?

sure you can
I said

I got a doll from Gran
for my birthday
it was hers
when she was a child
and she said look after it
it's quite old
Janice said

is it good?
I asked

the doll's got
lovely blue eyes
which has
flickering eyelashes
and a white silky dress
and white shoes
she said

I nodded my head
and guessed she'd
want to show it
to me

can I see it?
I asked

if you want to
maybe we can go
back to Gran's flat
after I've seen
your train set
and I can show you
and if Gran doesn't mind
maybe you can
stay to lunch?

ok
I said

(seeing dolls
wasn't on my list
of must sees
but I thought
why not her gran
does lovely sandwiches
and sometimes cake)

so we went back
to my parents' flat
and we set up
the train set

and my mother said
are you both
here for lunch?

no
I said
we're going Janice's place
to see her new doll
and maybe
have lunch there

all right
Mother said
and carried on
with the washing

and I watched
as Janice
wound up the train
and set it down
and we watched it
go around and around
the circular track

and I watched her
and her long fair hair
flowing down
her slim
white bloused back.