Mouthful Of Lies 1912 Poem by Terry Collett

Susie snuggles
up to close to Polly
in the large iron bedstead,
places her cheek
against Polly's back,
her hands wrapped around
Polly's waist.

Polly sleeps;
a long day behind,
a long day ahead.

The cold night air in the attic,
makes Susie snuggle
closer still to Polly.

She listens;
hears the other maid's breathing;
she wants to kiss her,
but dares not.

She puts her lips close
to Polly's back
and pretends a kiss.

She wants a real kiss,
to kiss the lips
and hold close
as close can be,
but she dare not:
Polly would smack
her face or worse.

She had watched
Polly undress for bed;
it had made her day
that removing of clothing,
each time a little more
sight of flesh.

Some mornings(at 5am)
she pretends sleep,
watching Polly undress,
washing naked
with cold water
from the enamel bowl,
watching through
the slits of her eyes,
but says nothing
just a mouthful lies.