BENNY'S UNHAPPY MONDAY 1962

A BOY AT HIGH SCHOOL IN 1962

Yochana didn't look happy
when I saw her
in class
Monday morning.

Her friend Angela
sat next to her
and was whispering words
to her.

I sat next to Rennie
at the back.

He was talking
about his weekend
and football.

I was taking in
Yochana's back,
picturing it
as I was next to her
in the guest's bed
that Saturday night.

Her parents asleep
in their room.

She had crept
into the guest's room
and climbed into bed
beside me.

I wondered if
her parents
had found out
and that was why
she was so unhappy.

Miss G came into
the classroom
and the talking stopped
and we sat up straight.

I tried to push
Yochana and her parents
from my mind,
pushing ahead
with the lesson
after registration.

But it was like
the blind
leading the blind.