TO KEEP AWAY THE COLD 1962

A GIRL AND HER MOTHER AND FATHER AND A ROW ABOUT BOY SHE KISSED IN 1962

After the sudden blows
from her mother
(about seeing Benedict)
before dinner

Yochana spoke hardly at all
to her mother during
or after dinner
and sat in the lounge

staring the the TV
glowering inwardly
each time her mother spoke
her father had spoken

about his work to his wife
but knew something
was in th air by the tension
what's up?

he said
Yochana said nothing
but looked at her spoon
she was eating with

his wife said
she'd been lying to me
who?
he asked

Yochana
she replied
about what?
he said gazing

at his daughter uneasily
about seeing a boy
his wife said
I expect she can't be off

seeing a boy
at school as about
50% are boys
he said

a particular boy
his wife said pointedly
and what was the lie?
he asked

she spoke to him
when I said not to
his wife said
what's wrong

with the boy
got the plague?
he said
his wife stared at him

he's a boy whom
she has kissed
she said
her father ate

his forkful of food
and didn't she
want to kiss him?
he said

having eaten
the mouthful
I don't care
if she wanted

to kiss him or not
but she did
o I see
he said gazing at Yochana

so she wanted
to kiss him
her father said
and was it

a good kiss Yochana?
he said
his wife was about to speak
when he held up his hand

Yochana can speak
for herself
he said
his wife bit her tongue

and stared at them both
Yochana stared at her father
we liked it
she  replied to her father softly

taking in his eyes
which were warm
well there you are then
no harm done

he said
but she lied to me
about seeing him
his wife said angrily

how old are you
Yochana?
he asked
14 years old

she replied
gosh how old  
you've become
he said

wasn't you that age
when you kissed me
Alma?
he said to his wife

and didn't you
enjoy it?
Alma looked him
then at her daughter

that's different
she said
how different?
he said

Alma looked at Yochana
my mother never said
I couldn't I never lied
Alma said

clutching at straws
her husband said
she hit me
Yochana said

her father stared at Alma
you hit her?
he said
yes she made me

angry with her lies
Adam dear
Alma said
there was a pause

he said
never again
raise a hand to her
she's my daughter too

and I will not
have her harmed  
in anyway
Alma looked at him

then at Yochana
but said nothing
she ate her meal
there was silence

for a few moments
then Adam spoke
about his work
and how far he'd travelled

and Alma sat
looking and eating
and Yochana thought
of Benedict and the kiss

and his hold
and pretended
he was there
to keep away the cold.