LEAVING SOON 1960

A BOY AND GIRL IN LONDON IN 1960

We're leaving
Mum's told me
Fay had said

as we sat
on a seat
in Jail Park

do you know
when you'll go?
I asked her

very soon
Mum has said
I was sad

to hear it
but I knew
her mother

wouldn't stay
much longer
once Fay's dad

had hit Fay
that morning
I’ll miss you

I told her
I'll miss you
she told me

do you know
where you'll go?
I asked her

no idea
Mum's not said
far away

I expect
Fay uttered
we're 12 now

we were 8
when we met
the first time

at St Jude's
lower school
I told her

she looked down
at her hands
I looked up

at the sky
no more words
were uttered

just Fay's soft
outward cry.

Reviews

[andrew mitchell]

I love these depictions of writes of the times of youth. So natural! Well done Terry. I enjoy your work. Also reminds me of the books I read when I was a kid The Famous Five Enid Blyton, my favs hence the strong connection to yours.

[Terry Collett]

Thank you, andrew. Yes, Enid's books were favourites of mine as a child.

[andrew mitchell]

funny thing is! They still are!