AFTERNOON DATE 1960

AFTERNOON DATE 1960

A Poem by Terry Collett
"

A BOY AND GIRL IN LONDON IN 1960

"



Fay and I went to Bedlam Park,
not to swim in the pool,
but to sit on the grass
with a bag of crisps each,
and sandwiches,
and a bottle of lemonade.

Where has your old man gone
for his retreat?
I said.

He's not my old man,
he's my dad,
Fay said,
she took a sandwich
from the bag,
and looked at me.

Some monastery
for a weekend.

Why has he gone?
I said.

She nibbled a sandwich.

Something to do
with spiritual refreshment,
she said.

He needs it?
I said.

He think he does,
she said.

I took a swig
of the lemonade.

We sat in silence
for a few minutes
while we ate and drank.

Have you ever
been to holy communion?
she asked.

Not that I know,
I said,
what is it?

Us Catholics believe
that during the Mass
the bread becomes
the body of Christ,
and the wine
become His blood,
she said.

Really?
I said,
real blood and flesh?

Yes of course,
she said,
it is called transubstantiation.

Sounds painful,
I said,
the nuns at school said
it is Christ's sacrifice
for us.

I ate another sandwich;
she sipped lemonade.

Mum and I may leave soon,
Fay said.

Leave where?
I said.

Leaving my dad and brothers,
but you mustn't tell anyone,
Benny,
she said.

Leaving why?
I said.

Mum can't take anymore
of Dad's ways,
and words,
and his treatment of me,
Fay said,
looking at me searchingly,
don't tell anyone,
please Benny.

I won't, I said.

I swigged lemonade,
and she took a sandwich,
and ate,
odd time,
this our afternoon date.

© 2016 Terry Collett


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Added on May 31, 2016
Last Updated on May 31, 2016
Tags: BOY, GIRL, LONDON, 1960

Author

Terry Collett
Terry Collett

United Kingdom



About
Terry Collett has been writing since 1971 and published on and off since 1972. He has written poems, plays, and short stories. He is married with eight children and eight grandchildren. on January 27t.. more..

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