Inside Her Head 1962 Poem by Terry Collett

Yochana's father
ate slowly at dinner;
his wife watched him
as he ate;
Yochana watched
both in turn
eating anxiously.

The radio
was on quietly
playing Handel.

About the boy
coming for a weekend,
Father began,
when would it be:
Friday to Sunday?
He gazed at Yochana.

She looked at him anxiously,
Yes, that would be good.

Are you sure
it's a good idea?
Mother said,
a 14 year old boy
and girl together
overnight in the house?

They will be
in separate rooms,
besides you don't
have much trust
in your daughter,
if that is your only
reason the boy
should not stay,
Father said.

I trust her,
but not him,
I do not know him,
Mother replied coldly.

Have you met
this boy?
Father said.

Mother shook her head.

Well maybe
we can invite him over
on Saturday
just for the day
for us to judge him
and see,
Father said,
I can pick him up
and drop him
home again.

Yochana felt out of it;
no one even
asked her opinion
or what she felt.

Father looked at her
and said,
well how about
this Saturday?
Mother stared at her;
Father ate more
of his dinner.

Yes,
I'll ask him
at school tomorrow,
she said,
smiling awkwardly.

That's that then,
Father said.

Mother sat and ate
and stared at him,
then at her daughter
and then said,
what's the boy's
name again?

Benedict,
Yochana said.

Mother nodded,
then looked away.

Father ate slowly
in deep thought.

Mother stared at him
as she ate,
her face stern
and cold as ice.

Yochana wished
Benedict was there
beside her waiting
to take her up to bed
and they could do
things she does