IN THE NIGHT 1916

TWO MAIDS IN BED IN AN ATTIC IN 1916.

Susie wrapped
her thin arms
right around

Polly's waist
in the bed
in the cold

attic space
Polly's thoughts
were on George

in his bed
where she thought
she should be

making love
as they did
times before

but since his
return from
the war front

he's not been
his old self
mentally

off balance
she allowed
Susie's arms

to enfold
about her
permitted

Susie's lips
to kiss her
cold shoulder

but it was
his lips she
pretended

were kissing
his arms there
around her

holding tight
to keep cold
in the night.