deepundergroundpoetry.com

Jean ( part of series 'The Hut' )

   
 
The wood was heavy,green,  
The clock said seven  
Thermometers, twice the same.  
Wenlock Edge in blue-green mist  
Ten miles distant, seemed much more,  
Dawn had been at five  
The chorus,silent for a moment,  
Silence like the sea shell  
On the bedroom mantle-shelf.  
   
We had not walked our wood  
For ten long days, when last we came  
The ferns were shy, pale green,unsure,  
Now bold they brushed against my legs  
Soaked my shoes in dew,  
My trousers too were wet,  
The sky was blue,unhindered  
Save for two white clouds  
Fading in the morning sun.  
Forecast....... sunny hot.  
   
I did not pass the hut this time  
Jack, impatient would not wait  
Reluctant,went ahead.  
I stepped inside.........  
There is no door,  
(I've told you that before)  
What was a door is on the floor  
A step to let me in.  
   
The silence in the hut  
Was not as in the wood,  
(Its sea-shell gentle hiss  
Breathing in the ear)  
The tone was changed,  
Somehow back in time.  
Through the unglazed window  
I saw dark clouds.  
There was no wind that day  
But the walls were shaken.  
   
I looked around the room  
Everything in place.......  
The fire-grate on the narrow wall,  
Still there.......The corner to the right.  
Cobweb veils across the ceiling.  
Felt cold,uneasy,did not belong.  
My day was gone........  
.......................  
It was then I saw them,  
Heard them hold their breath.  
An evening tryst.........  
Turning quickly, said goodnight,  
Back to the morning sun.  
Who they were I did not know  
But tried a guess.  
   
Lovers,many years ago?  
How had they met?  
A village dance perhaps?  
Across a bar and lousy war-time bitter?  
Slipped out"Won't be late "she said.  
Jean her name? .....perhaps  
A ploughman's daughter?  
Could have been.......  
Eighteen,newly widowed,  
Conscript William... older...  
Dead and all their dreams  
.  
"We regret" it said.  
The telegram screwed up  
On the kitchen floor.....  
Him?....A William too,  
But Bill for short.  
A gunner in an aircraft's tail  
Far from home,America.  
Both scared by the plight of war.  
   
The broken door was then in place  
They closed it shut and quiet  
In the corner by the hearth  
They leaned the steel clad wall,  
They needed each and took..  
And did what lovers always do  
When wearing heavy coats  
   
I walked away along the path,  
Jack in front as usual.  
Bluebells ,campions,nettles,  
Said hello in babel voices  
And so we went,as always.  
   
That night we went again,  
But did not stop this time  
In case they'd call again  
(I think I would...  
And so would you !)  
Whistled Jack into the car  
Drove down the lane  
Pulled in the car-park lot  
Leaned the bar  
   
The same........  
Said hello to William  
Birthday-boy today.  
Named after Dad he said  
Killed in the war,  
Mum never remarried........  
I looked at Jean (she's often there)  
Grey upright and handsome  
How old?  
We never ask,does not seem polite.  
Where had I been she asked  
"In Jessop's wood, with Jack"  
"Ah"  
"You know the place"?  
" Yes I know the place"  
"The hut still there"?  
"Yes I often look inside,"  
"The cast-iron hearth still there "  
"Cracked, but the walls, firm and safe"  
"I bet there are tales to tell"  
   
She said no more...........  
But looked me in the eye.  
She knew I'd guessed.  
I felt ashamed,  
Until she smiled.........  
Cast off the grey and wrinkles  
Her golden youth returned  
The heavy years of toil cast off  
Her breasts now firm.  
She was in his arms again,  
Let me share the joy,  
Let me share the secret  
Only we could know.
Written by Kexby (john rickell)
Published
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 1 reading list entries 0
comments 3 reads 566
Commenting Preference: 
The author encourages honest critique.

Latest Forum Discussions
COMPETITIONS
Today 9:03am by slipalong
COMPETITIONS
Today 8:55am by PatsonTheFriend
SPEAKEASY
Today 8:52am by PatsonTheFriend
SPEAKEASY
Today 3:03am by Mstrmnd1923
SPEAKEASY
Today 1:37am by Grace
SPEAKEASY
Today 00:31am by mysteriouslady