Sheila Over Dinner 1962 Poem by Terry Collett

What's up
with you Sheila?
Mum said
at dinner.

Nothing
I'm just thinking
I said.

I had wanted
to be a nun
and the priest said
if I served God well
I would go to Heaven
but then I met Benny
crossing the playground
and he became
my heaven.

About what?
Mum said.

About not
being a nun
I said.

What's changed
your mind
you were set on it
a few weeks ago
she said.

Just changed
my mind
I said.

How come
you changed
your mind so quick?
the other week
you were going
to be another be
St Therese
Dad said.

Just thought
it through
I said
might want to
have babies.

What made
you think
about having babies?
Mum said.

I thought
about Benny
that lunchtime
on the field with him
being near him
but I felt shy
and didn't say much
hoping he would
kiss me
but he didn't
but I never told
my parents that.

Dad talked about
his work
and mum said
about the price
of stuff in the shops.

My brother Burt
talked of fishing
and where was going
at the weekend.

I thought of Benny
and the kiss
which didn't come
gazing now
and then at Mum.