Summer School
by Barrie Neller


We lay upon a Roman road
hearts beating to legion feet
bodies curved to ancient burial mounds
thoughts dizzy and swift as the birds overhead.

Two fourteen-year-olds seduced by cider
and the sensations of each other's skins
imbued with the fragrance of sea, sun and ourselves.
Alexander and his slave.

Years later we met up in Canada
He was working the DEW line
I was making my way with words
I thought him beautiful as ever.

We talked about wives, children, immigration
winter, rugby, everything but
a boarding school summer holiday
spent on the Sussex Downs.






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