Category: Passages

Being young and abroad
out of sight of neighbour’s eyes and judgement
and handrails of good sense
behavioural drift
even for those of high pedigree
and achievement.
Karen, young and attractive …. tall and distinctive –
made the most of her OE
got involved in some silly things
alcohol …. and its buddies.
Some, just bad timing …wrong place and wrong crowd
and others ….
While not a naughty girl
was considerably less than good ….
men and the rest …. sowing her wild oats
but
what’s good for the gander …. is good for the goose.

Another century, another island,
a property auction…
middle-class people making,
middle sized bids for middle status homes.
The tall distinctive woman told me I was mistaken
not a denial as no name was used, only
“……I think I know you.”
Thought better didn’t want to create discomfort, or lies
–    “ sorry, you must look like someone I once knew..”
For the rest of the auction she maintained back turned avoidance
and made no eye contact on leaving.

They said the lab supervisor had been something in her time,
apparently, so the old staff said,
could show the young ones a trick or two.
Legend lived on
even if half, was half true –
stunts and parties and trailing assignments late.
Had left uni aged 20 with child – unplanned
contraception Russian roulette in those days,
had two more,
returned in her 30’s completing a Bachelor’s
and then Masters.
Now oversaw year one – her commencement.

I handed in late, she raised an eyebrow and said
“ I’ll mark it now,
hmmmm,
yes
okay
not bad,
pretty good in fact.”
Then
“I could swear I’ve seen this before – copied,
she knew.

Reform, some do with revivalist fervour
some by mute,
others collude with the present, to evict the past.
She winked, crossed out 7 ½ and wrote 7 – out of 10.

Smoking was king
and queen during my growing up.
Our house was unusual,
two parents neither of whom did :
movie theatres,
shopping malls,
buses, trains, aircraft,
open, welcome, extolled. Except school pupils –
forbidden – underground – behind the bike sheds.

At the shopping mall
I was unlocking my bike
and the man guessed to be in his late fifties
was smoking
“ look,”
he said, waving the glowing tip
“ 45 years later, and I’m back where I started,
smoking behind the bike sheds.”