ON WESTMINSTER BRIDGE.

A BOY AND GIRL ON WESTMINSTER BRIDGE IN 1959

Fay looked down

at the River Thames

from Westminster Bridge

 

and you stood next to her

watching the boats

go under the bridge

 

and disappear from view

and she said

my dad said he’d take me

 

on one of those boats

and out to sea

but he never has

 

you looked sideways at her

taking in her blonde hair

and her blue eyes

 

and the way the wind

touched her hair

and made her dress

 

move about her legs

I’ve been on boats

on the river before

 

you said

making conversation

not seeking to impress

 

or boast

I like the chugging sound

of the boat

 

you added

Fay touched

the edge of the bridge

 

where she stood

and said

this bridge was built in 1862

 

I heard about it in class

Miss Ash told us about it

oh yes she

 

with her massive shoulders

and arms and big breasts

you said

 

and Fay laughed

and blushed slightly

God knows what my dad’d say

 

if he heard you say that

and me laughing

she said

 

looking at you

and shyly smiling

probably give me

 

what’s for

she uttered quieter

ceasing to smile

 

her eyes taking on

a dark gaze

looking out

 

at the river again

you’ve got to have a laugh

now and then

 

haven’t you

you said

wanting to put

 

an arm about her

but not doing so

just putting a hand

 

next to hers

on the bridge top

feeling the cold stone

 

wanting to feel her flesh

soft and warm

suppose so

 

she said softly

her fingers close to yours

almost touching

 

you moved your hand

closer across the stone

crablike and touched

 

her small finger with yours

she breathed in the air

and so did you

 

and she said

oh to be in London

and out of doors.