Over The Hill.1962 Poem by Terry Collett

Over the hill
they saw the horizon
of fields and sky
and trees and birds
in the air swooping
and flying high then low.

Yehudit holding
Benny's hand said
isn't it beautiful?

Yes it is
he said
sensing her hand
in his
the pulse of her there
he focused
on the feel of her
soft skin on his
her fingers
about his fingers.

Shall we sit here
and watch the scene?
she said.

If you like
he said.

So they lay down
on the grass
on the side
of the hill
the grass dry
and warm.

They lay there
looking out
then he looked at her
taking in her features
her tone of skin
her eyes
the way her hair
had been brushed neatly.

She turned to face him
what are you thinking?
she said.

We never stop thinking
he said
until we are dead
and maybe even after.

But now
what are you thinking
about now?
she said.

About you
he replied.

Me what about me?
She said.

How I would love
to kiss you
he said.

Why now do you
want to kiss me?
she said.

Why not now?
He said.

Because we have
all this beautiful
scenery to view
she said.

The scenery will
always be here
he said
but we won't.

She looked at him
and leaned forward
and kissed him
on his lips.

Is that what
you meant?
she said.

Sort of
he replied.

They lay there
and gazed
at each other.

He leaned
against her
kissed her lips
and they held together
then parted and sighed
as if at that moment
something of the past
had died.