Enid Unsure 1957 Poem by Terry Collett

You met Benny
by the slope
off the Square.

People walked past
up and down
as you talked.

He said
we could go
to Camberwell
go round the shops
and I could
show you
the hospital
I was born in.

But you were unsure
whether to go
that far
especially
as your dad
was in a mood.

What's new?
Benny said.

He has been
all right
until recently
you said.

So what
he's going to know
where you go?
Benny said.

No but if he
asks me
he will
you said.

Why tell him?
Benny said.

Because I can't
lie to him
you said.

So where then?
Benny said.

What about
Bedlam Park?
you said
we could go there
go to the war museum?

He nodded
all right
I can show you
my favourite weapons
he said.

So you
went with him
along Rockingham Street
under the railway bridge
and then
to the subway
where Benny sang
a cowboy song
he'd heard on TV
it echoed
along the walls
he also
(to make you laugh)
made monkey calls.