Pump Pump Heart 1961 Poem by Terry Collett

I had finished weighing the milk
at the farm then walked home
with one of the cowmen.

What do you want to be
when you leave school?
he said.

I want to be a cowman
I said.

No you want to get
yourself a proper job
he said
this don't pay much
and you'll be stuck here
tied to a cottage
any ways
he added
you're a Londoner
you will find something
better in town.

He left me then
to go into his cottage.

I walked on
to my parents' cottage.

My mother was in the kitchen
preparing vegetables for dinner.

Jane came for you
she said.

Where is she now?
I said.

She said she'd meet you
by the water tower
Mum said.

I walked back
along the lane.

Jane was standing
by the water tower
she waved when she saw me
I waved back.

Your mum said
you were up the farm
and wouldn't be long
so I thought I'd
wait here for you
Jane said.

We walked along
and up the narrow path
up towards the Downs.

How are you getting on
at the farm?
she said.

Ok I helped get the cows in
from the field then weighed the milk.

Do you like the work?

Yes I do
I replied
can't believe a London boy
could get into it so quickly.

We stopped by the large hollow tree
and went inside
and sat on a ledge.

Back to school tomorrow
she said.

Yes don't remind me
I said.

I already have
she said.

We gazed at each other
then kissed then moved apart.

There was an odd pump pump
inside my heart.
Benny and Jane in 1961