Encounter. Poem by Terry Collett

Isis had let the girl into
her small private room

at the school, she should
have said no, but she was

of two minds, and then
one, and then she just let

her in, and turned to the
window, not wanting to

face the girl, and let her
look break through to her

heart, and she had heard
the girl whisper, I love you,

so soft it seemed as if breathed,
as if a small knife had entered

under her ribs and inched
towards her heart, and she

had not turned around, and
had just replied equally softly,

I know, and then a few moments
Later, I love you too, and then

there was silence, and she
sensed the girl put her arms

around her waist, but she had
done nothing, just stood there,

looking out on the school grounds
at the playing field, and the girl

had released her, and Isis had
uttered, Best go now Jodie, and

she heard only quiet footsteps
and the door closing with a dull

thud, and the room seemed
suddenly empty, as if a world had

begun to die and another been
born, and over the playing field

a warm sun opened up like a
young god to a bright new dawn.