Extra Special Date 1961 Poem by Terry Collett

Lizbeth sat
at the dinner table
her father beside her
and her mother opposite.

The dinners
were before them.

What were you doing
that took you so long
to come down?
her mother said.

I didn't hear you
Lizbeth said.

Are you deaf?
I have been calling you
three times
her mother chided.

Busy tidying my room
Lizbeth lied
looking past her mother
at the clock
on the mantelshelf.

About time
her mother moaned
it has been like
a tip up there.

Still is
Lizbeth mused to herself
picking up
her knife and fork
and began to eat
thinking of Benny.

She wished
he was upstairs
waiting for her return
lying on her bed
undressed
and ready to go.

But he isn't of course
she mused
forking in a carrot.

Her father talked
about his work
and the type of day
he had had.

I would gobble
this meal down
if he were upstairs in bed
she thought
looking at her
mother opposite
wondering what she
would say if she found
her and Benny
in bed together.

Best not
to think of that
she thought
watching her mother's mouth
opening and closing eating
her mother's fingers
holding the knife and fork
in that posh way.

Lizbeth thought about
that time she had Benny
upstairs in her room
a while back
while her mother was out.

But he wouldn't
and her mother came
back early.

If only he was
Lizbeth said to herself
if only he was waiting.

Her father talked on
her mother ate.

She mused that Benny
was upstairs on
an extra special date.