A WORD TO THE WISE 1957

A BOY AND GIRL IN LONDON IN 1957 AND HE FATHER

And Enid rushes
like a freed bird
into the Square
she's both excited

yet nervous
both light-hearted
yet unsure
if she should be

and where is Benny
he said to go
to his door
o yes of course

he did
so she rushes back
up the concrete stairs
of the flats

and knocks on his door
and his mother answers
and is surprised
by Enid's bright eyed stare

and excitement
everything all right Enid?
she says  
yes o yes

Enid says
looking past
his mother
wondering where

Benny is  
wanting him
to see her carefree
(to a certain degree)

is Benny here?
he hasn't gone
to the flicks
without me has he?

she says excitedly
adjusting her glasses
peering past
Benny's mother

no he's still here Enid
come in
and Enid says
thank you

and rushes along
the passage
into the sitting room
where Benny is at

a table by the window
eating his Cornflakes
o you're here still
I thought you may

have gone
but I can go
she says
Dad said I could go

actuality said it
and said to be careful
he's never said
that before

and she says quieter
not a clump or whack
since well
not in a day or so

what do you think?
is it for real Benny
is it?
Benny eyes her coolly

looks at her
standing there excitedly
do you want to go to loo?
he says

she looks at him
no why?
you look as if
you're about to pee

yourself with excitement
he says
she walks to where
he's sitting at the table

and stands
and tries to calm down
keep her excitement
in check

he said I can go out
and with you
he's never said
I could before

not so easy
not so kindly
she says
he's all right isn't he?

not had a turn
in his head?
not gone all
religious has he?

Benny says
no don't think so
she says
sitting in a chair

at the table
looking at him
do you think
he may have done?

she appears worried
look at it like this Enid
your old man
beat you

whacked  you
for next to nothing
lied to you
and now he's not

done that
for a day or so
and you think he's
just ok?

she bites her lip
don't know
she says
looking out

the window
at the sky
and the railway bridge
across the way

just be careful Enid
he says
just be on your toes
just in case

he goes back
to his old tricks
her face saddens
and she looks at Benny

why is he being
nice now
and not hitting me
or Mum

he hasn't hit
her either
and they were
actually talking

this morning
not rowing
and I don't know Benny
he finishes off

his Cornflakes
well if he's changed
well and good
and good on you

but be careful Enid
don't be sucked
into a trap
it may well

be a trap
he says
her excitement has gone
so it may not be for real?

she asks
looking at Benny
with dark eyes
through her glasses

it maybe for real
it may not
hopefully the old git
has changed

and good on you
if he has
well just going
to get ready

and I'll be with you
for the flicks
he says
she sits there

watching him go
the sky is grey
a steam train
goes over the railway bridge

leaving a trail
of grey smoke
she's unsure now
if it isn't one

of her father's
bad jokes.