LET IT STAY THERE

A BOY AND GIRL IN 1950S LONDON

Helen put dandelions

she had picked

into the pocket

of her dress

present for my mum

she said

she likes flowers

soon be her birthday

but I don't know

how old she is

but flowers

is the best to get

don't you think?

Benedict nodded

he'd taken her

to the grass

in the park

where dandelions

grew in abundance

she'll like them

he said

I think so

Helen said

they came out

of Jail Park

and crossed Bath Terrace

and along

by the metal fence

until they came

to Rockingham Street

she talking

about the man

who stopped her

on the way to school

a few says before

and he said

he would take her

to the seaside

if she went with him

there and then

what did you say

to him?

Benedict asked

I didn't know

what to say

he looked so scary

should have gone

to find a copper

Benedict said

I was scared

she said

so what happened?

I just stared at him dumbly

like I was an imbecile

as Dad says to me

when I sit

at the dinner table

with my mouth open

then what?

Benedict said

he took my hand in his

and it was hot

and sweaty

and I screamed at him

and he ran off

she said

good for you

Benedict said

should have

kneed him one

I was too scared

to do anything

that's why

I screamed

they went under

the railway bridge

just as a steam train

went across the bridge

and pushed grey

and white smoke

over the side

and into the sky

and she said

where would he

have taken me

do you think?

God knows

Benedict said

but not to the seaside

but he didn't say where

he kept that

dark image

to himself

and let it stay there.