Yiska One Morning 1962 Poem by Terry Collett

Yiska heard
her mother call her
she wanted to turn over
and go back to sleep
but her mother
called again
and louder.

School day
lessons
teachers pushing
their wares.

She got out of bed
rose up and walked
to the bathroom
and locked the door.

She sat on the seat
and peed.

Why can't it be Saturday
or Sunday not Tuesday.

She rose and went
to the wash basin
and looked
at her reflection
in the mirror.

The only saving grace
about the day
was seeing Benedict
at school at the start
as he descends
from the school bus
and maybe later
if it doesn't rain.

Lunch break
we can meet up
and talk and walk
on the playing field
or behind
the maths block.

A knock on
the bathroom door
her father calling
asking how long
was she going to be.

She turned on the tap
and said
she wouldn't be long.

He went off muttering.

She washed as quick
as she could
then went back
to her room
and put on her uniform.

If only Benedict
was here now
and we could hug
and kiss.

Her mother
called out again.

She sighed
and went down stairs to
the kitchen
where her mother
was moaning
and put a plate
of eggs on toast
in front of her.

She didn't fancy it
but ate it
rather than hear
her mother moan on.

Her brother looked at her
her father sat beside her
eating and reading
the newspaper.

If only Benedict
was here
she mused
here beside me
touching my leg
under the table
and me trying
not to laugh
if I was able.