Say And Do 1962 Poem by Terry Collett

Thanks to Elaine's sister
John and Elaine's romance
is all over the bus
(for those who care)

and when she
gets on the school bus
after lessons
there is a mixture

of jeering
and whispered talk
who's your lover
then Frumpy?

a voice says
does he kiss you?
another voice says
Elaine goes red

and sits quickly
by her sister
in the window seat
looking out

John sits looking
out the window
trying to ignore
the voices and jeers

you're a dark horse
Johnny Boy
a voice calls out
have you done it yet?

laughter and jeers
Elaine's sister
whispers to her
well couldn't be

a secret for long could it?
you told them?
Elaine says
well he did kiss you

so you said
her sister says
the bus starts up
and is on its way

and the radio comes on
and music
fills the air
and Elaine's mind

is in panic
and she stares out
the window taking in
nothing of the passing view

wondering what to say or do
and how will she
show her face at school
voices whisper

behind her seat
her sister talks
to a friend nearby
Elaine feels betrayed

feels stabbed in the back
I'd let you
sit with him
her sister says

but that'd mean
I'd have Goldfinch
in here and that
would not be on

Elaine ignores her sister
and tries to calm her mind
and instil some kind
of order in her thinking

some sort of normality
John stares
out of the window
focusing on

the passing view
of fields and trees
and houses and birds
in the early morning sky

and breathing in slow
and ignoring
Goldfinch's gab
about football

and who scored
what goal
and thinking of Elaine
and the kiss on Sunday

at her house
and who told about them
and how did Elaine feel
and what to say or do

and a voice from some kid
behind him says
been in there yet?
had it off?

John focuses
on the bullfinch
he'd seen in the garden
the other day

the colours
the beak
the excitement he felt
at seeing it

and marking it in
his little book
and the bus radio
plays away

some love song
and voices sing along
and a voice says
it's for you Frumpy

the love song's for you
but she ignores the voice
and sits and stares
at the passing view

wondering what to say
and what to.