Enid Anxious 1957 Poem by Terry Collett

I went with Benny
to South Bank.

We saw the boats and tugs
passing by
on the Thames.

Some people waved
and we waved back.

Benny said
my dad said
I could go
I hope so.

Mum wasn't sure
but let me go.

Benny bought
two ice creams
from a vendor
along by the River
and we sat
and ate them
watching tennis
in the tennis courts
along the way.

Mum and I wait
for Dad to come
home from work.

I hope he's in
a good mood
and did say
I could go
with Benny.

Benny wouldn't lie
at least not to me.

Mum's in the kitchen
getting dinner.

I sit in
the living room
waiting for Dad
to come.

Enid
he'll say
where and what
did you do today?

I can't lie
he knows it
if I try to lie
my eyes
he says
give me away.

The front door opens
he's home
the door closes.

Voices from the kitchen
Dad's voice is raised
Mum's voice replies.

An argument
of some kind.

I look at the floor
pretend it's
someone else's home
another flat
over the way.

Not me here
or if I am
on another day.