Choking Fit 1958 Poem by Terry Collett

The film
was well underway
and I was sitting
next to my old man
in the dark
of the cinema
sharing a bag of nuts.

All of a sudden
my old man gets up
out of his seat
and disappears
up the aisle
out of sight.

I watched the film
a Western in colour.

I hoped no women
would appear
and spoil the fun
with all that kissing
business and hugging.

I liked the gun shooting
and fist fights in saloons
tables overturning
and dance girls
screaming.

An usherette
came down the aisle
to where I was sitting.

Your father's
had a choking fit
she said
best come see
how he is.

So I got up
and followed her
up the aisle
turning to see
where the film had got
and out into
the lit up foyer.

My old man
was sitting in a chair
with another usherette
beside him
patting him gently
on the back.

You all right?
I said.

Ok now
he said
choke on a nut.

He sat there forlorn
the usherettes
tending to him.

He breathed
in deep.

I looked at him
sitting there
gazing how the light
was shining up
his bald spot
where there
was no hair.