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FAY AND THE DOWNSTAIRS JEW.
Fay met Baruch
by Arch Street
off of Meadow Rowhe was by
the bombed out ruins
across the way
firing his catapult
at tin cans
and empty bottles
she stood at his side
hands in the pockets
of her cardigan
fair hair held
in place by a slide
not firing at the birds
are you?
she asked
looking anxious
no just cans
and bottles
he said
she seemed relieved
and stepped closerhate to see things hurt
or killed
she said
he tucked the catapult
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into the belt
of his jeans
and wiped his hands
on the blue clothyour old man
let you out then?
he said
she looked about her
in case her father
was near at hand
to hear
my fathers off
for the day
she said
some church things
she added
good to have you here
Baruch said
he stared at her
taking in her hair
and eyes
and her mouth ajar
lips and small teeth
the patterned dresscoming to the knees
red on yellow
going to the flicks later
you want to come?
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he asked
she frowned in thought
where?
Camberwell Greenhe said
the picture house
is a fleapit
but the films good
she blinked
wiped her nose
no money
she said
Dad said to read
Mark Chapter 9
all through
before he gets home
and he will
question me
and if I dont know it
she became silent
and looked away
Baruch caught sight
of a bruise yellowing
on her right browhed not seen
until she moved
her hair by hand
to wipe her nose
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whens he back?
Baruch asked
late tonight
she saidbest not go
she looked across
the bomb site
towards the coal wharf
where horse drawn wagons
came and went
or coal lorries
along the small road
carrying their load
got time to take in
a film
he said
be back and study then
the Bible bit
she bit her lip
still got no money
she said
looking back at him
standing there
in jeans and blue shirtand mucked up hair
Ive got 2/6d
thatll do for us to go
and ride and see
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and ride on back
she hesitated
looked concerned
if I dont know St Mark 9therell be hell to pay
(strapped backside
more like he thought
but didnt say)
we can scan the pages
once were back
and gulp it down
and swot it up
he said
she stared
at her plimsolls
white ankle socks
the stones
and bricks
of the bomb site ground
tempted she said
ok
wanting to go
and be with him
she weighedthe balance
in her mind
pushing possible
punishment to the back
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of her mind
already he was walking
towards the bus stop
across the bombsitein casual pace
she followed
taking his hand in hers
unaware her father
from the top
of a bus
had seen
and taking note
knowing what to say
and do
she being
with that kid again
the downstairs Jew.
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