At Sunridge House

School time memories

Dusk falls

and the girls are early to bed.

But at half past eight

he and I take our guitars and

go gently into the

boarding house courtyard.

Below her window

we start to sing

and play

and one by one

all the windows above us

slide open and

girls

of every shape and age

lean out to listen

and when we have finished

playing and singing

they laugh

and chatter

and clap their hands.

And she

that is his sweetheart

is proud and embarrassed

that this boy would

dare to

do such a thing.

And others’ eyes

are turned towards her

and others’ hearts

are imagining

themselves thus serenaded.

And then

in the kitchen

we are sat on tall stools

and we are given

Hot Chocolate and Digestives

by laughing girls

Our guitars

rest gently

between our knees.

The kitchen is warm

by the gas burners

and we are flushed

that we have dared

to do such a thing.

A lenient teacher

suggests it would perhaps

be best

if we leave now.

And the two stand together

like adults.

He kisses her

in her pyjamas,

his hands

inside her dressing gown

smoothing the pink brushed cotton

over her hips.

Then I am walking down

through the town

with my guitar in its

soft, cloth case

gently banging against my leg

on my own.