Poetry Magazines - The best collection of poetry magazines online - Simon Armitage

"Are you out the night?"
"Aye. Chum me?"
"Aye. After waur tea."
"See ye."
Cold ham and beetroot covered by a plate,
wait. Her note - I've left some tinned fruit.
Mind you lock up and don't be late back.
See ye.
Luxury, oh unexpected privacy!
I tango to the bathroom and take all
                                     the hot water,
in the steam, dream, tonight will be the night
I turn into a swan 
                                   aw go on...
Is that the time? look at my hair!
Up in a pony tail - I don't care.
What'll I put on? My blue will do,
Hell's bells - I think I've lost my shoe.
A squoosh of Mum's Yardley's behind each ear
Saved by the bell - Maggie's here.
Hair held captive by a chiffon square
eyes lines, cheeks rouged
"Are we right? Are we ready? Are we off?"
Aye. Arm in arm we sashay shrieking up
                                     the street
See us!

Ladies cloaks - what a crush.
'Who are you saving the last dance for, Doreen?'
'Mind yer own!'
'Anyone seen Wilma? What's she like!
Dressed like that for a bet or what?
See her!'
Sat at the edge, back to the wall,
I panic - supposing nobody comes for me.
Sandy Andy McKendrick,
second year apprentice mechanic,
freckles fiery in a milk white face
has come for Mags.
Stands out in a crowd - lanky and loud
"Are you dancin?" - "Are you askin?"
"I'm askin." - and she's away
stately as a small galleon
French pleat and double starched petticoats.
She turns with a wink.
"See ye."

I concentrate on minding her seat
one eye on the door
suddenly - the boy Robertson
Jamie - James in a dark blue blazer
back from the Uni is crossing the floor.
He gives a wee bow - sort of
"Would you care to?" holds out his arm
I rise, clumsy and clammy, step on his feet
"Shall I count us in?" I nod.
His arm round my waist not tight but firm
mine on his shoulder,
palm to palm, eye to eye
deep breath in - and
weight on the toes, bend the knee, slide
two and three, glide
turn and we're off we're away
he smiles, so do I.
Holy moly Mags
See me!
I'm dancin'.