Losing Touch…

for Kyla

Our first contact when you wrestled me
to the ground
we were no more than five…

One day we cycled to the woods
the next, giggling, you told your friends
at school what you had seen –
we played kiss chase out on the field

You went to an all girls’ school, me to boys’
I passed messages to your boyfriend
ate corned beef sandwiches on our first date –
T Rex and Santana at the cinema

I remember the afghan you wore, how
I saw Led Zeppelin play when I grew hair
only now beginning to understand Bolan
Metal Guru. You wanted to name me Duncan.

Christmas Eve year after year, we walked
the dog together, barely touching.
How I remember the Spring, you peering
into the hedge, beaming at the nestlings.

© Steve Walter