Mrs Netley And You Poem by Terry Collett

You followed Netley
through his parents' house
the rooms having
a middlebrow look
and out into the back
through French windows
and along to the outdoor
swimming pool

he introduced you
to his mother
sitting in a chair
in a bright red
swimming costume

this is Benedict
Netley said

his mother eyed you
with her dark blue eyes
have you come to swim?
she said

Netley said you had
if that was all right

she smiled at you
not at Netley
who stood beside you
have you any swimwear?
she said

no I didn't think
to bring any
you said

Netley find some spare
Netley said he would
and went off

you stood there
a bit shy

want drink?
she said

have you a Pepsi?
you said

of course
she said
help yourself

you tried to avoid
looking at her
sitting there
in that red costume
and her body exposed
where the costume
didn't cover

over by the wall
she added
pointing over the way

you looked at her
and smiled
and took the two fruits
wrapped in red
and carried them
in your boyish head.