My Aunt & her friends br are wondering (but not br for long) where I’ve gone. br br They drink br their bitter lemon br amid the bitter gossip br of their pub’s sawdust & chatter. br br I am hidden under br their noses br br under their table br br masked by the theatrical br tablecloth br br amidst a forest br of female legs br br that cross br br & br br uncross br br divide br br & br br come together br br in a language of their own. br br br br br This is the one time br they can escape br br the chores & drudgery br of their all consuming farms. br br Knees dimple br & wink br br thighs get scratched br br get stroked br br as they think & talk br br stockings get adjusted br br slips & petticoats br br get smoothed. br br I play with my toy br a tiny dinky car br br (vivid scarlet) br br & try to ignore br br the lightning flash of knickers br br & the white thunder of thighs. br br br br My eyes glowing with wonder br br as I leave childish br things aside. br br br br The dinky lies forgotten br br as I emerge br br bright eyed br br & br more br grown br up br br br into their grown up br world.