Author Information
LIZBETH HOPES.
Lizbeth holds
Benedict’s
father's bike
while sitting
on her own
waiting for
Benedict
to return
from the hedge
with bird's eggs
or the shells
of blackbirds
he had seen
once nest there
she is bored
she wants more
and other
things than this
bird watching
or looking
out for those
butterflies
she wants sex
not nature
study shite
Benedict
where are you?
she calls out
just coming
he replies
if only
she muses
watching bees
on flowers
the soft buzz
butterflies
going by
fluttering
Benedict
she calls out
where are you?
here I am
he replies
coming out
of a hedge
clutching blue
black speckled
eggshell bits
in his palm
look at that
fine eggshells
he says soft
she looks strained
her eyes scan
the eggshells
in his hand
is that it?
just eggshells?
lucky find
he replies
tucking them
in the black
saddlebag
on the bike
she watches
his fingers
how gently
they arrange
the eggshells
in the bag
can we go
to that hut
on the Downs
that you found?
she asks him
he buckles up
the black bag
I guess so
he replies
it's not big
just an old
shepherd's hut
unused now
is it far?
she asks him
ten minutes
walk away
he replies
we can't ride?
she asks him
too hilly
he replies
her lips pout
and she sighs
only way
he tells her
ok then
she replies
so they ride
to the foot
of the Downs
leaving their
two bicycles
by a tree
and walk up
and along
the pathway
between trees
he thinking
of a nest
he'd seen there
the last time
Robin's nest
he believes
she thinking
of hot sex
in the shed
on the floor
on the old
bath towel she'd
brought from home
she and he
all alone
Benedict
unaware
walks and sniffs
the fresh air
thinking of
possible
robin's eggs
and of them
getting there.
