Natanya Not Amused 1976 Poem by Terry Collett

Benny had some book
he was reading.

I wanted him
to take notice of me
as I undressed
for bed
but he didn't
look at me
but turned a page
instead.

I slowly removed
my bra
letting all
fall free
but he stared
at the page
and not at me.

I took off
my underwear
and stood there bare
but he turned
another page
and didn't stare.

I put on
the baby-doll nightie
he had bought
white with pink lace
but he just turned a page
a blankness
on his face.

I climbed into bed
beside him
getting as near
as I could.

What's the book?
I said
moving myself
up close
wanting to have sex
in the dark.

Women In Love
he said
it's quite a lark.

I sighed
and lay down
head on the pillow
and gazed
at the light.

He closed the book
and laid it aside
how about it?
he said
turning off
the light
and moving
up close
touching
my thigh.

Ok if you want
I said
don't know why.