When you were a Milkmaid

You wore a bonnet
and had your hair in pigtails.
You changed into your milkmaids dress
in the bathroom,
when you came out you concealed it all
underneath a duffle coat.

I promised I would stay away
and knew that if you noticed me there
you would have died of embarrasment.
Perhaps you would have ended everything.

As you sang on the stage
I slumped down in my chair
disguised by a false beard and trilby.
When I saw my reflection outside the theatre
I burst out laughing
and wished that you could see me.

When the audience applauded you
at the end of the performance
I was so proud of you I could have burst-
all I wanted to do was tell you I was there.
As I walked home, removin my beard
I felt the hook of your staff
around my neck.