ELAINE GETS BRAVE 1962

GIRL AND BOY AT SCHOOL IN 1962

John waits for you
by the school fence
after getting off
the school bus

your big mouth sister
walks off with her friends

you are shy
but approach him
you look around you
but no one
seems to care
that you are there

he looks up
as you come near
you ignored me
on the bus this morning
he says

you look past him
at the kids in
the playground behind

I didn't want them
to start up again
you say
but they did anyway
so I might as well
looked at you
and smiled or even
said hello
you say

he looks at you
can't be helped
they'll get bored
and talk of other things
John says

you stand beside him
others pass by
on their way into school

how are you?
He says

you feel him
near you
his hand by his side
near yours

I am ok
you say
although you are not
seen any butterflies so far?
you add

not yet
too early
he says

you are stuck for words
he looks back
through the fence behind

did you mean that kiss
at my mum's place?
You ask shyly

of course
he says
looking back at you
with his hazel eyes

kiss me again sometime
you say
bringing your hands
together in front
of you nervously

if you want me to
he says

I do
you say

he smiles
you smile
but silence then
and the bell rings
for lessons to begin

best go
he says

yes
you say
and watch as he turns
and goes off
and away.

Reviews

[Tony Jordan]

Magical Terry.
I laughed - 'Did you mean that kiss...'
No back doors in kids at that age, eh?

[Terry Collett]

Thank you, Tony