THERE IS SNOW 1971

A BOY AND GIRL IN A LOCKED WARD AS SNOW FALLS IN 1971

There is snow
lots of it
on tree tops

over fields
a tractor seen
ploughing still

Yiska stares
listlessly
wrist bandaged

stinging more
Benny stands
beside her

looks quite pure
as it falls
Benny says

I loved it
as a child
Yiska says

playing there
helping make
a snowman

their hands touch
but none see
did nursey

suspect us
Benny asks
having sex

at some point?
she wondered
about the

ETC
room last night
Yiska says

no such luck
but we tried
gulls follow

the tractor
as it ploughs
music plays

from speakers
the locked ward
is warming

patients crowd
behind them
voices say

it's snowing
yes snowing
Yiska moves

with Benny
she thinking
of last night

he thinking
of the sex
that wasn't

but which might.