Early July
and Judith sat
on the wooden fence
beside you
over looking the pond
which she called the lake
dressed in a plain grey skirt
and green blouse
her brown hair
brushed untidily
as was per norm
her hands beside her
balancing her
on the top beam
mum said men
are not to be trusted
Judith said
me included?
you asked
you especially
she said smiling
she didn't mention you by name
just said men in general
and my dad looked at her
sideways on
pulled a face
then carried on
with his breakfast
a jackdaw flew across
the pond noisily
making Judith jump
bloody bird
nigh on made me
wet myself
she said
following the bird's flight
what made your mother
go on an anti men campaign?
you asked
watching two ducks
move across
the water's skin
I think she saw us
coming through the woods
behind your house
yesterday after school
Judith said
we were too close together
mum said
but where she was
to see us I have no idea
hanging from a tree maybe
you said
don't think so
Judith said smiling
maybe she's spying on us now?
you suggested
Judith looked around her
then back at you
don't say that
I almost had kittens
it's not kittens
you have to worry about
you said
sunlight flickered
through high branches
birds sang
white clouds
moved slowly overhead
you touched her hand
with yours
felt her warm skin
her fingers
her short fingernails
she looked at the flickering sunlight
I know
she said softly
come on
let's go near the lake
she said
and jumped off the fence
and so did you
and walked over
the grass
to the pond's side
under a vast sky of blue.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem