NO INNOCENT ROSE 1969.

The door opened

and your father gazed at me
with his dark eyes
and said to come in.

I entered the passageway

and he closed the door
he said a few words in Polish
to your mother
who had poked her head
from the lounge and she disappeared
he beckoned for me
to enter the lounge
and said to sit on the sofa.

He said you would be down soon

as you were getting ready
to go out with me.

I sat looking around the room

then back at him
as he asked where we were going
and what time we would be back.

I told him we were going

to the cinema to see the Patton war film
and would be back around 11pm.

He nodded like Id seen

Mafia bosses do
in gangster movies.

He said you were a good Catholic girl

and had to be up early in the morning
for the 8am Mass.

I nodded and said

I went to 10am Mass
as used to sing in the choir.

He looked impressed
although I didn't sing
in choir anymore.

I pictured you
(as he spoke about
his childhood in Poland)
undressing that time
your parents were out
in your room urging me
to get a move on
and laying on your bed
waiting for me
(just as well he
couldn't mind read).

You came down stairs

and entered the lounge
dressed moderately
(not the short skirt
but a longer one)
and he lectured you
about manners and such.

I eyed you standing there

like an innocent rose
as if butter wouldn't
but it did
but you kept that aspect
well hid.