A Quiet Sea 1957 Poem by Terry Collett

Enid and I got the bus
to the South Bank.

The sky was blue
and cloudless.

We walked along
the embankment
looking over
at the River Thames
at the boats passing by
and tugs and pleasure boats
with passengers onboard
and we waved
and some waved back.

Are you sure my dad said
it was all right for me
to go with you today?
she said.

Sure it is
I met him on
the stairs of the flats
and he said yes
but not to be late
I said.

She looked
apprehensive.

I wouldn't lie to you
I said.

No I know you wouldn't
she said
but he didn't seem
in a good mood
this morning
and him and Mum
were rowing when
I got up.

Well he was all right
when I met him
I said.

She nodded
and we walked on
past the tennis courts
on our left
until we came
to a shop selling
ice creams and drinks.

Want an ice cream?
I said.

I haven't any money
she said.

I have some
I said
so we bought two ice creams
and sat on a seat
and watched the boats
and tugs go by.

I watched her sideways on
as she licked her ice cream.

She looked happy briefly
as if she'd put away
her fears and anxiety
and sat like a gull
floating on a quiet sea.