Lydia Not Ready 1958 Poem by Terry Collett

Lydia's old man
opened the door
after I knocked.

Come for the Princess
have you?
he said.

Yes please
I said.

He looked at me
where you going?

Morning matinee
at the ABC.

He nodded
how much is it?

6d
I said.

LYDIA
Benny Boy
is here
he called out
over his shoulder

Lydia came
to the door
she looked
half asleep.

Here
her old man said
and gave her
some coins
into her
small palm
behave or I'll tan
your backside
he went back inside.

Morning matinee
I said.

O of course
she said
I forgot
what time
does it start?

Soon
I said.

Won't be long
come in a minute.

So I entered
into the passageway
as she disappeared
into the kitchen/bathroom.

Her mother came out
of the kitchen
eyed me
she won't be long
just having
a quick wash
and brush her hair
come in
the sitting room
she said.

I followed her
into the sitting room.

Lydia's brother Hem
was sitting eating
his breakfast
he looked at me
then looked away.

We don't talk
since I punched
him down
after he threw
a firework
at my sister
the year before.

I sat on a chair
and looked
around the room
for a few minutes
in silence.

Then Lydia came
ready
she said.

So we went out
and off
through the Square
sorry I wasn't ready
she said
I forgot.

No worries
I said.

We walked
down the slope
and away
the start
of a new day.