BRIGHT NEWS 1916

A MAID AND HER EMPLOYER IN 1916 AND GOOD NEWS OF A SON RETURNING

Lord Elmore is busy
as Polly enters his room
with a tray with teapot,
cup and saucer,

milk jug and sugar bowl
and shining silver spoon,
he is at his desk writing,
glasses on,

grey hair clipped close,
he looks up when Polly
stands near him,
ha tea,

well place it here
so I can drink it
after I've finished
this sentence,

he says,
looking Polly over,
at her uniform,
neat the headpiece so so,

Polly curtsies,
holds the tray steady,
tries to get a glimpse
what he is writing,

but can't,
she sets it down carefully,
then stands back,
hands at her side,

he pours some tea
from the pot,
stirs in milk,
he looks at Polly,

you look tired Polly,
are you well?
she looks at him,
yes Sir,

never better,
he studies her,
her trim figure,
neatness,

good I am glad
to hear of such,
he says,
Master George is due home

from the Front sometime today,
he adds,
looking at her eyes,
bright and shining,

her mind sparkles
at the news,
but she tries not
to seem too excited,

o good  my Lord,
she says,
that is good news
for you and Lady Elmore,

and the thought of their son
bringing her into his bed
that night electrifies her body,
yes it will be good to see him

and in one piece too,
so many of our men dying
and wounded,
he says mournfully

looking at the papers
on his desk,
yes Sir,
she says,

picturing their son
kissing her lips
and other places
she is too excited

to think about,
he nods,
ok Polly best let you
return to your jobs,

good work,
he waves a hand
to dismiss her
and she nods and walks

from the room,
he is busy again writing ,
head down,
she looks away

and goes out,
closing the door behind her,
a thrill of George coming
runs through her body

and she does a little skip
along the passage
on her way back
to the kitchen

and Mrs Gripe
and more work,
she pictures him whispering
words in her ear,

soft bed,
warmness,
kisses and he working her
in a different way,

the thought
brightens up
her up until now
dreary day.