Secret

This is our secret place, just you and I.
What fun we are having, we giggle all day
while snug in the bracken together we lie.

We may spot a lark, like a speck in the sky
till it snaps out of sight and the song drifts away.
This is our secret place, just you and I:

hidden, we see the red fox slinking by
and watch spiders weaving silk traps for their prey
while snug in the bracken together we lie.

The hours are too short here; how quickly they fly.
I’ll bring apples and chocolate, then we can stay
all night in our secret place, just you and I -

come under the shelter: no need to ask why.
The red sky will darken then bleach into grey
while snug in the bracken together we lie.

No need to tell Mummy, for Mummy might cry
then bad men would come and take Daddy away.
This must be our secret place, just you and I:
Sshh - quiet in the bracken, together we lie.

- Anne Ballard
Highly Commended Poet, The TRYangle Project Poetry Competition 2011