at waterperry

iris stood

elongated strands of blue

box-clipped peacocks fan

tea and cakes were all home-made -

there was a snake

i saw him

curving through a glade

of fern

into a bubbling stream

at waterperry

when we were vaguely one

though you were always distant

in control

i waited till you got me home

one day I broke away

because you were so jealous of my son

my eyelids were torn up to see

that you never cared for me

that stately gardens were a ploy

deceiving me

with borrowed grace

at waterperry