Benny Birdwatched 1962 Poem by Terry Collett

I bird watched
from my bedroom window.

Saw three thrushes
a dozen sparrows
and a crow.

My mother
was downstairs
getting dinner.

My little brother
was in the garden
digging up worms
to chase
his twin sisters with.

My other sister
was trying to knit
as Mother had
shown her.

Dad was at work.

I mused on
Sheila at school
how we sat
on the sports field
during lunch.

She said little
and I seemed
stuck for words.

She did say
she had wanted
to be a nun
but had changed
her mind.

She didn't
say why
she being too shy.

My friend Rolly
played football
he had wanted
me to play
but I was with her.

I watched
now and then
they lost
three goals to one.

I like her
slim figure
unhappy face
but to my mind
a neat behind.