IN HER HEAD 1962

A HIGH SCHOOL GIRL AND HER THOUGHTS AFTER SCHOOL IN 1962

Sheila's home
after school
seen John off

at the gates
on his bus
and she watched

until it
had gone out
of her sight

how was school?
her mum asks
all ok

Sheila says
she doesn't
want to talk

she just wants
to lay down
on her bed

so she goes
to her room
takes off shoes

and school clothes
and puts on
and old dress

and lies down
on her bed
the windows

show the sun
bright orange
still warming

a few clouds
she wonders
to herself

what if John
were here now?
beside me

lying here
next to me?
she moves close

to the wall
to make room
for him there

she pretends
he's smiling
whispering

their bodies
close touching
she pretends

they're staring
taking in
each other

maybe his
hand will touch
her own hand

finger hold
then they kiss
(she kisses

her pillow)
then his hand
touches her

her heart thumps
she can feel
the fast pulse

then a voice
calling out
NOW SHEILA

her mum's voice
been calling
out for you

are you deaf?
just coming
she replies

John has gone
and his touch
and the kiss

and her heart
and its pulse
go beat beat

as she gets
to her feet
looking back

at her bed
it's empty
but John's there

half naked
holding hands
in her head.