MARY'S ENCOUNTER 1963

A BOY AND GIRL IN IRELAND IN 1963

Mary inhaled the cigarette
and watched as the boy
came over to her in the park
and said
where's your weird friend?

she exhaled smoke at him
weird friend?
she said
who's that?

that Magdalene girl
who thinks she's something
when she's just another girl
with two arms and legs
and an arse
he said

what do you want
with me?
she said

thought we'd go
to the picture house
and sit in the back row
and get down
to some kissing and such
putting a hand
on her hip

she inhaled
and looked at his hand
then at him
she exhaled smoke at him again

take your paw off of me
you Proddy prat
if my da saw you
touch me he'd
take your arm off  
she said

didn't think you
were worried about
a boy's religion
he said
removing his hand
from her hip

I'm not but my da is
he has no love of Prods
she said
and my friend's
not weird she's classy
something you
wouldn't understand

he stood his ground
staring at her
got a mouth on you
haven't you?
he said

couldn't talk
otherwise could I
she said

he eyed her sternly
you ain't' much yourself
he said
just a schoolgirl slapper

she kneed him
and he doubled over
and fell sideways
down on the grass

I'm not a slapper
she said
I'm a knee-er
and she walked off
inhaling and exhaling
and giving
a quick cough.