The Night Out 1975 Poem by Terry Collett

Natanya met me
at the train station.

Evening sky
street lamps
sickly yellow.

I was beginning
to wonder
if she'd show
or if her old man
became awkward
and she couldn't come.

But she came
with an overnight bag
and her hair covered
in a scarf
to keep out
the damp air.

She smiled
when she saw me
didn't think you'd come
she said.

Thought your
old man
might have
caused trouble
I said.

He only asked
where I was going
and I said
to see Peters & Lee
in concert.

Did he ask
who with?
I said.

I told him
I was meeting a friend
she said.

People passed us by
up the stairs
we bought tickets
to London
and got the train.

We sat next
to each other
what if people
see us
who know you
and tell
your old man?
I said.

She smiled
you worry
too much Benny
she said
and kissed me
on the lips.

The train went off
the evening sky
darkening
the lights on the train
showing our
joint reflections
in the windows
of the train.

I was sitting next
to a woman older
than I was
maybe her final fling
or that kind of thing.