GONE WALKING 1962

A GIRL AND HER FATHER AND THE BOY IN HER HEAD IN 1962

Shoshana
home from school
having changed

out of the
ghastly uniform
sat at the

oak table
waiting for
dinner to

be placed down
her father
sat glumly

stiff upright
do not be
like your big

sister he
said to her
wasted life

at 19
and pregnant
and with him

Shoshana
said nothing
opposite

sat Naaman
(not the real
but pretend)

quiff of hair
hazel eyes
Elvis smile

I told her
Father said
I warned her

but still she
wastes her life
Shoshana

watched Naaman's
lips mouth words
she looked close

trying to
decipher
the mouthed words

but pregnant
at her age
she should be

focusing
her mind on
her career

Father said
the lips said
I love you

or so seemed
Shoshana
mouthed her lips

to the boy
(pretend not
the real one)

opposite
I love you
Shoshana

Father said
what are you
doing now?

Do you not
listen too?
Acting out

my small part
in a play
at my school

(a big lie)
but not now
Father said

I'm talking
Naaman's moved
opposite

away and
was walking.