The Hut 3 Poem by John Rickell

The wood was heavy, green,
The clock said seven
Thermometer, twice the same.
Wenlock edge in blue-green mist
Ten miles distant, seemed much more,
Dawn had been at five
The chorus, silent for a moment,
Silence like the sea shell
On the bed-room mantle-shelf.

We had not walked our wood
For ten long days.
When last we came
The ferns were shy, pale green, unsure,
Now bold they brushed against my legs
Soaked my shoes in dew,
My trousers too were wet,
The sky was blue, unhindered
Save for two white clouds
Fading in the morning sun.
Forecast....... sunny hot.

I did not pass the hut this time
Jack, impatient would not wait
Reluctant, went ahead.
I stepped inside.........
There is no door,
(I've told you that before)
What was a door is on the floor
A step to let me in.

The silence in the hut
Was not as in the wood,
(Its sea-shell gentle hiss
Breathing in the ear)
The tone was changed,
Somehow back in time.
Through the unglazed window
I saw dark clouds.
There was no wind that day
But the walls were shaken
I looked around the room
Everything in place.......
The fire-grate on the narrow wall,
Still there.... corner to the right.
Cobweb veils across the ceiling.
Felt cold, uneasy, did not belong.
My day was gone........

It was then I saw them,
Heard them hold their breath.
An evening tryst.........
Turning quickly, said goodnight,
Back to the morning sun.
Who they were I did not know
But tried a guess.
Lovers, many years ago?
How had they met?
A village dance perhaps?
Across a bar and lousy war-time bitter?
Slipped out'Won't be late 'she said.
Jean her name? .....perhaps
A ploughman's daughter?
Could have been.......
Eighteen, newly widowed,
Conscript William... older...
Dead and all their dreams.
'We regret' it said.
The telegram screwed up
On the kitchen floor.....
Him? ....A William too,
But Bill for short.
A gunner in an aircraft's tail
Far from home, America.
Both scared by the plight of war.

The broken door was then in place
They closed it shut and quiet
In the corner by the hearth
They leaned the steel clad wall,
They needed each and took..
And did what lovers always do
When wearing heavy coats.

I walked away along the path,
Jack in front as usual.
Bluebells, campions, nettles,
Said hello in babel voices
And so we went, as always.

That night we called again,
Did not stop this time
In case they'd call again
(I think I would...
And so would you!)
Whistled Jack into the car
Drove down the lane
Pulled in the car-park lot
Leaned the bar
The same........
Said hello to William
Birthday-boy today.

Named after Dad he said
Killed in the war,
Mum never remarried........
I looked at Jean
(she's often there)
Grey upright and handsome
How old?
We never ask, not polite.
Where had I been she asked
'In Jessop's wood, with Jack'
'Ah'
'You know the place'?
'Yes I know the place'
'The hut still there'?
'Yes I often look inside, '
'The cast-iron hearth still there? '
'Cracked, but the walls are firm and safe'
'I bet there are tales to tell'

She said no more......
Looked me in the eye.
She knew I'd guessed.
I felt ashamed,
Until she smiled.........
Cast off the grey and wrinkles
Her golden youth returned
The heavy years of toil cast off
Her breasts now firm.
She was in his arms again,
Let me share the joy,
Let me share the secret
Only we could know.