70/ along the street to parties

Down a leafy lane in October
a rain-beaten path through the bracken,
we walked in shadow and sun.
“Tell him to tell her I’ve got a new friend.”

I’m on the sofa watching the game
and all of a sudden it was in.
The others are already losing.
“It’s not over yet,” she shouted across the room.

And in the night-long cafés
the girls in groups smiling beautiful smiles
along the street to parties,
along the railings pushing, pulling.
One waved,
the early night was warm.

Later on, through the evening and into the pub,
I thought she was barred.
Looked across, gave an unhappy smile,
lit her cigarette, and turned.