Poem for the Day In among the silver birches, Winding ways of tarmac wander And the signs to Bussock Bottom, Tussock Wood and Windy Break. Gabled lodges, tile-hung churches Catch the lights of our Lagonda As we drive to Wendy’s party, Lemon curd and Christmas cake Rich the makes of motor whirring Past the pine plantation purring Come up Hupmobile Delage. Short the way our chauffeurs travel Crunching over private gravel, Each from out his warm garage. O but Wendy, when the carpet Yielded to my indoor pumps. There you stood, your gold hair streaming, Handsome in the hall light gleaming There you looked and there you led me Off into the game of Clumps. Then the new Victrola playing; And your funny uncle saying "Choose your partners for a foxtrot. Dance until it’s tea o’clock Come on young ‘uns, foot it feetly.” Was it chance that paired us neatly? I who loved you so completely. You who pressed me closely to you, Hard against your party frock. “Meet me when you’ve finished eating.” So we met and no one found us. O that dark and furry cupboard, While the rest played hide-and-seek. Holding hands our two hearts beating. In the bedroom silence round us Holding hands and hardly hearing Sudden footstep, thud and shriek Love that lay too deep for kissing. "Where is Wendy? Wendy’s missing.” Love so pure it had to end. Love so strong that I was frightened When you gripped my fingers tight. And hugging, whispered “I’m your friend.” Goodbye Wendy. Send the fairies, Pinewood elf and larch tree gnome. Spingle-spangled stars are peeping At the lush Lagonda creeping Down the winding ways of tarmac To the leaded lights of home. There among the silver birches, All the bells of all the churches Sounded in the bath-waste running Out into the frosty air. Wendy speeded my undressing. Wendy is the sheet’s caressing Wendy bending gives a blessing. Holds me as I drift to dreamland Safe inside my slumber wear Indoor Games At Newbury John Betjeman 1906 - 1984
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 23:44:07 +0000
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