Dull Winter 1963 Poem by Terry Collett

It's wintry
the woods are damp
the undergrowth is dull
and few birds sing

I walk with Yehudit
along one of the rides
narrow
part mud
part grass
most trees leafless
sky greyish blue

remember when we
came here
that first time Benny?
she asks me

(I do we were 14
still at school)

yes you showed me
the pond
I say

our lake
she says

yes our lake
I say

we walk down
by a shallow pond
dumped tins and cans
and rubbish over the years
have caused it to be dirty
and lifeless

we walk to the fence
and climb over
and go towards our lake
together through a muddy field

do you remember
when we ran through this field
that time it down poured
and we got drenched
and I changed out
of my wet clothes
at your parents' place
and your mother
gave me clothes
she had to change into?

(I do remember
I recall seeing her
go from bathroom to bedroom
wrapped in a towel
my mother lent her)

yes
wet day that
and I remember
your dress clung to you
revealing each aspect
of your figure
I say

trust you
to notice that
she says smiling

we climb through the fence
and stand by our lake
dull and motionless
no ducks or birds
or dragonflies hovering
over the surface

just dead leaves fallen
on the water's skin

we made love that time
back there
she says
indicating a wooded area
nearby

warm then
I say
sunshine
dragonflies
flowers and ducks
there were ducks then

and we heard that man walk by
and we had to remain so still
and I had cramp in my thigh
she says
and you were there
butt naked laying there

we stand staring
at the lake
dull water and sky

we hold hands
and sense time moving on
and better love making places
available now
and a love still there
in us and about
this dull grey air.