Young's Wife 1971 Poem by Terry Collett

Young's wife
worked with you
she came
to the hospital
after you did.

At first
she was just
another face
amongst others.

Then one day
you got talking
and she said
where she
and her
husband drank
Friday nights
and maybe
you should go along
and have a drink
with them.

So you did
she introduced you
to her husband
and he seemed ok
about you joining
the small group of 6
in a corner table
by a window.

They all bought
a round of drinks.

You drank beer first
then went on to whiskey.

Young's wife
talked to you
and under the table
her knee
touched yours
on purpose.

She would
look at you
and smile.

Once while
you were downing
a whiskey
her hand touched
your thigh
and you near died.

You all right?
her husband said
as you choked
on the last
of the whiskey.

Yes it went down
the wrong way
you said
going red.

A few days later
back at work
she came along
and found you
and said
she lived nearby
and would you like
to drop by
and have a coffee
and chat.

Won't your
husband mind?
you said.

He won't know
she said
and what he
don't know
won't hurt him.

So you went
and she got you
a coffee
and you sat in
her lounge
and you got
to kissing
some how
but that is
another tale.