Pierce Hearted 1962 Poem by Terry Collett

Yochana stopped
on the school sports field
at midday recess.

She waited for Benny
to come out after lunch.

You don't look happy
he said.

I'm not
she said.

Did your mother
find out about us?
he said.

No she didn't find out
thank God but she makes it
obvious that she doesn't
want you around again
although I don't think
Dad would mind
Yochana said
looking past Benny
at a group of girls passing.

Why does
she object to me?
Benny said.

You interfere
she thinks
with me and my piano practise
that I don't focus enough
on the music but on you
Yochana said
looking at Benny
her eyes tearful.

But I am not with you
when you practise
he said.

I know but she assumes
that I am thinking of you
and not the Mozart
or Schubert I am suppose
to be focusing on.

And are you focusing
on Mozart and this
Schubert fellow?

She shook her head
no all I can think about
is you and us in the bed
and being close to you.

Benny looked at her features
at her beauty:
I think of you too
he said
but I don't have music
to focus on.

Does she suspect anything
about that night?
maybe she heard us
in the bed whispering?

No she would have come in
and God knows what
would have happened
she wouldn't have
let it slide
Yochana said.

They looked at each other
then she looked about them
and taking his hand
led him onto the field up
to the fence at the top end.

They kissed
just the once
then parted
both wounded
and pierce hearted.