Those are primroses
Jane said
pointing to flowers
in a hedgerow
after leaving
the water tower
and walking
by the farm
the smell of cows
and dung
and the sound of birds
and her voice distinct
soft as a water coloured painting
her left hand
in her grey coat
her hair
brushed straight
touching the collar
we ought not to pick them
she said
they're best left
where they belong
for all to see
as you went
to pick them
with your fingers
for your mother back home
I'll show you cowslips
they're yellow too
she added
taking your hand in hers
walking you onward
the sun beginning
to warm your face
the Downs in the distance
the trees
the fields
the variety of greens
dark and light
you told her
about the bombsites
in London where you lived
how few flowers
there were there growing
except in the shops
she listened
her eyes moving
over you
her lips slightly parted
white teeth
just visible
her cheeks pale
the coat parted
at the neck
the smoothness
of her skin
beneath her chin
how the only birds you saw
were pigeons and sparrows
not the variety
you'd seen around
the countryside
there and about
you both paused
as the farm
came into view
the buildings
and farmhouse
the cowshed
the cowpats
along the road
the smell stronger
look out for the black dog
you said
it bites
and you pulled up
your sleeve
and showed her
the healed wound
on your lower arm
where the dog had bitten
she ran her finger over
the softness of her skin
on yours
a tickling along your nerves
as if for the first time
you realized
the spark of love
the joy of being alive
the sensation
like the first kiss
months earlier
the dog barked
from the farm
her finger lingering softly
upon your arm.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem