She brought
two pieces of cake
her mother had made
to the pond
she termed our lake
and we sat
on the dry summer grass
she unwrapped the paper
and handed me
the slice of cake
looks good
I said
it is
Judith said
she can do
some things right
the cake was sweet
and soft
and mouth watering
I held the cake
over my palm
collecting every crumb
she looked out
over the pond
the still skin
of water
flies hovering
over the top
bird calls and songs
and the sun seeping
through
the tall trees
overhead
she had her hair tied
in an untidy bun
at the back
her grey dress
came to the knees
dimly flowered
I sneaked these out
Judith said
not often
I get the chance
well done
I said
the last few crumbs
were gone now
just a damp palm
where they had been
she finished hers
and licked her palms
do you remember
when we first
came here?
she asked
yes
I said
winter
and I was frozen
and my fingers
were numb
she smiled
yes and I licked them
warm again
I smiled too
it had been
as she said
frozen fingers
sucked warm
her mouth over
the fingers
one by one
wouldn't do it
for just anyone
she said
I hope not
I said
that first kiss
recall that?
she asked
of course
Christmas
while carol singing
and the moon bright
and you embracing me
and our lips
kind of met
you embraced me too
she said
your lips met mine
they did I recalled
sitting there
next to her
her body so close
to mine
I could hear
her heart beat
her pulse race
what carol
were the others
singing?
she asked
haven't a clue
I said
too busy kissing
and you had
your hand
drawing me tighter
to you
on my backside
yes I did
didn't I
a bird flew across
the pond noiseilly
we looked up
caught sunlight
with our eyes
bird sounds
clouds passed
her hand
touched mine
a tingle raced
along my nerves
ringing bells
in my head
years have fled
time emptied away
and she is dead.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, it had me hooked all the way through. Bit confused at the last line- did you mean she herself had died or were you refering to time ? or something else? Lovely read anyway. :-) x
Thank you.
Thank you, sweetwater. Yes, she died from cancer in 1993.