Tilly's Morning Blues 1965 Poem by Terry Collett

Tilly dressed for work
her sister up already
washed and downstairs
breakfasting before school,

Tilly gazed at her features
in the mirror's view
hair messed up
eyes sleepy still
a washed out feel,

Benny the day before
a day at the beach
seeing the tide come in
and gulls fly
and a bag of fries
on a seat gazing
at the sea just him and me,

her mother downstairs
loudly talking
calling up that
breakfast is ready
and get a move on,

Tilly sighed and trotted
to the bathroom
to urinate and wash and dress
and descend the stairs
with her weary steps,

she sat at the table
half listened to her mother's yak
and torrent of words
and sighs and stares
musing on Benny
and the seaside kiss and hug,

she ate and sipped her tea
thinking of Benny's hold
and kiss of lips
but kept all to herself
and let nothing
of the day out
with Benny slip.