THE SEX BOOK 1961

A MOTHER FINDS A SEX BOOK IN HER DAUGHTER'S ROOM IN 1961

Lizbeth's mum
tidied up
Lizbeth's room

such a mess
plates and cups
on the floor

and LPs
here and there
underwear

cast aside
not picked up
then she found

the sex book
in Lizbeth's
chest of drawers

opened up
saw pictures
of women

and nude men
positions
and advice

she sat down
on the bed
going red

hands shaking
closed the book
didn't know

anything
of those things
that she'd seen

other than
the basic
position

should she say
to Lizbeth
what she'd found?

just 13
why would she
need the book?

and has she
done those things?
Lizbeth's mum

put the book
back again
tidied up

polished round
went downstairs
in a trance

turned on her
radio
on came Bach

concertos
the cellos.