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UNDER SHELTER.
She'd run
from the shelter
of the old
corrugated shed
to the shelter
of the trees
you followed
seeing her ahead
happy to be away
from school
a job lined up
and you too
glad to be away
from the brain washing
and having that job
at the garage
to begin
and she ran
through the narrow rides
of the wood
knowing you
were behind her
looking back
at you as
she ran
and past
the small pond
and she stood there
looking at it
the pond water
discoloured
by cast away tins
and rubbish
and she said
not what it used to be
and you stood
beside her looking
at the still pond
the brown water
and she said
I used to come here
as a little girl
and bathe here
with my sister
wish I'd known
you said
before you came
she said
anyway
we were only 8 or 9
as were you
so it wouldn’t have
amounted to much
depressing seeing it
like this
she added
let's go elsewhere
you said
go to the our lake
she smiled
yes you remember
our name
for the large pond
so you both
walked on
and over
the wooden fences
and across the field
by cows
avoiding cow pats
and over
by the lake
where she sat
on the grass
gazing
at the clear water
the ducks swimming there
fish under
the water's skin
just visible
do you remember
when we first
came here?
she asked
you nodded
we were so
shy together
we just about
found words
to speak
and our fingers
nearly touched
and I blushed
and it was
so innocent
so white
and silky
and that first kiss
that was so magical
so non-sexual
and she laughed
and you sat beside her
and said
are all first kisses
like that
do you think?
ours was
she said
you thought on it
so unexpected
so unplanned
under
a full moon
lips warming
softly wet
and she turned
to you there
sitting by the lake
and gave another kiss
deeper
longer
more tongue
and warmth
more sexual
and sensual
and the ducks
and fish
beneath
the water's skin
cared not
if it was love
or lust
or grace
or sin.
