WITHOUT CARE 1958

KIDS IN LONDON IN 1958

Lydia
watches trains
beside me.

Waterloo
train station
people pass

for the train
some in suits
black pinstripes

and women
in all sorts
of dresses

or long skirts.
What you think
my dad said

this morning?
Lydia
says to me.

No idea
I reply.
Go away

on a short
holiday
she tells me.

Where about?
I ask her.
To Rams gate

the seaside
she replies.
A whistle

blows loudly
a green flag
waves madly

the steam train
puffs out steam
grey and white

going up
to the roof.
All of you?

I ask her.
Gloria's
not going

she's staying
behind us
so she can

look after
the old flat
and she works

she replies.
The train's gone.
Wonder where

that's gone to?
I ask her.
Somewhere nice

I expect
she replies
and are you

having a
holiday?
She asks me.

Don't 'spose so
I reply
go out days

I expect.
Another
train comes in

noisily
and we watch
as it stops

hissing steam
doors open
passengers

open doors
and get out
then walk on

the platform
with tickets
to get out.

Exciting
isn't it?
Benedict

(she calls me
not Benny).
It sure is

I reply
taking in
the steam smell

and the sounds
and the sight
of power

of engines
we sit there
on the seat

without care.