Bright Sunny Day 1957 Poem by Terry Collett

Enid and I sat
on the concrete stairs
of the flats.

Her old man had
walked past us
going down
off to work.

He said a few words
but that was all.

How's things at home?
I asked.

They rowed last night
but he never came
into me or hit me
she said
he was all right
breakfast time
and Mum said
nothing at all
over breakfast.

I showed her
my collection
of football cards.

She took them
and looked
through them.

Want to go
somewhere?
I said.

Where?
she said.

Camberwell Green
I said
I want to show you
the hospital
I was born in.

Is it far Benny?
she said.

Just a bus ride away
I said.

I'll have to ask
my mum first
she said.

Ok go ask her
I said.

She went up the stairs
I went to the balcony
and looked over
down at the Square.

The baker
was delivering bread
with his horse-drawn cart
kids played near
and on the pram sheds.

Enid came down
and said she could go
her mum seemed
ok about it
but not to tell her dad
just in case.

I went told my mother
who was doing
the washing.

Enid and I
went on our way
on that bright
sunny day.