LIKE BARKING HOUNDS.

[dadio]

And Dennis said
that girl at front
has pissed herself
whispering the words

into Naaman's ear
pointing
with his scrawny finger
his peppermint breath

in the air
Naaman looked
between the desks
in the class

where Dennis's finger poked
a puddle
yellowy white
had formed

the girl whose hand
was raised
stood up and ran
from the class

clutching her dress
sobbing
ok ok
Miss Ashdown said

no need for noise
or mutterings
Marsh go get
the school keeper

and ask him to bring
his mop and bucket
and so Marsh ran off
to leave the class

in stilled silence
the teacher's glare
scanning the room
after lessons after school

Naaman waited
by the school steps
for Shlomit to come down
in borrowed dress

and underwear
head lowered
hands in her raincoat pockets
scarf about her head

accident
she said
before Naaman could speak
she always makes me wait

she must know
I can't wait too long
Naaman said nothing
but walked beside her

along St George's Road
now I'll have to sneak
this dress and underwear
in at home

without my daddy seeing
she added
she held up the bag
the teacher had given her

it happens
Naaman said
the old bat
should let you go

when you asked
for the bog
anyway
the dress looks ok

maybe your mum
won't notice
he said
o she will

Shlomit said
but she'll say nothing
it's my dad
you'll blow off

the roof
do you want my mum
to wash them for you?
Naaman said

she'll understand
no I couldn't
Shlomit said
it wouldn't be fair

fair? fair's hair
Naaman said
she won't say a word
to anyone

be all washed and dried
by tomorrow
Shlomit looked at him
uncertainty in her gaze

through her spectacles
o come on
he said
what's in a dress

and knickers between friends
she smiled
maybe if she won't mind
hell no

Naaman said
give them here
and she gave him
the bag with dress

and underwear
no one must know
she said
of course not

who'd I tell?
blab to the newspapers?
Naaman said
Shlomit gives wet washing

to Naaman's mum
read all about it?
she laughed
he liked it

when she laughed
dimples formed
her eyes lit up her
cheeks reddened

ok
she said
I trust you
and they went down

the subway
under the road
and spoke and laughed
and listened

to their voices echoing
along the walls
and she held his hand
and they ran

their footsteps echoed
rushing behind them
( making sounds)
like barking hounds.