French Class Wonder

 

The French class has but twenty-eight 

Students in the room.

I saw him sat on the other side 

One October afternoon.

Soft coal-black hair he had

And tender, delightful eyes;

I turned my head, averted my gaze - 

My heart a dead-locked shrine.

But the teacher did not let us still

She pleases but to mess:

Thus did I soon find myself

Sharing with him a desk. 

"Partner up, mes cheres eleves,"

At class did teacher say

I turned to him impatiently - he 

Just smiled and gave his name. 

Though one might want, one cannot hate

A friendly phrase, a joke; 

Yet despite converse no friendship stirred

And I was still just cold. 

So every autumn afternoon 

I silently received in French 

Small-talks from this class partner 

And an occasional playful glance. 

He was different, make no mistake

Two years elder than me, 

Placid, confident, intelligent, 

And delights in coffee. 

Leaves fell, trees barred, the cold wind blew

Never more the swallows sang; 

"Autumn, yes, with winter wind."

I said as French began. 

"Yes, of course," he then replied, 

"It's that time of year again

For warm Starbucks coffee everyday. 

Wouldn't you think, Jane?"

I laughed, he smiled, and

With that our class had start'

From then on, every class I saw

With him a red Starbucks cup.

November drew on near the end - 

Of my life he was a part: 

His grey sweater, scented of pine, 

And don't forget the red cups. 

One day came in that December 

When the class bell had just rung;

I sat gleefully at my desk

And waited for him to come. 

The class started, French was read

Yet still he did not show.

"Where is he, God!" Thought I then 

Annoyance in me sow. 

"How boring, well, this class now is,

When gone my partner be;

How long, dreary, how cold

Unbearable indeed!"

Then a day later as I walked in 

On my desk there a cup lied - 

Red and white, with cardboard wrapping

On it a Starbucks sign.

His cup! I grinned, my heart swelled up,

But where, pray, must he be? 

He walked to me, and seated with 

A smile of apology.

No inquiries were made, no curiosity probed 

We chatted about the weather

For we both knew as long as he's back

Nothing would then matter.

Christmas break and New Year's Eve

Cut French class for two weeks;

Yet as the family sat at night

I thought of him with glee.

I remembered how when we're in class

"Monsieur" was he to me:

A senior and a tranquil man,

he spoke with serenity.

"Madmoiselle," he joked - exclaimed - 

"You got 100% again?

What's your secret, may I ask, 

Or did you last night just crammed?"

"Oh hush, monsieur," as I would laugh,

"Let me see what you get?"

"99%, madmoiselle," he said,

"Such a shame, alas!"

Thus Christmas passed with him in mind,

And New Year followed that.

I longed to return to school real soon

And meet him in French Class.

But on the first day we returned

"A new seating chart, guys!"

The teacher said with passion still

overlooked horror in my eyes.

"Oh please, madame, don't change seats,

I like how it is now."

"You like your partner then, Jane?

But I doubt did everyone else..."

Protest all fell on deaf ears, 

The seats were switched with haste.

My partner removed himself from me

"It's been a pleasure, Jane."

Oh how it pains to see

My partner no longer mine;

But seated with another girl,

his smiles to her were crimes.

Yet despite the distance of chairs and desks

he still would call to me:

"Madmoiselle - why - please do tell,

what you got for problem six?"

"Madmoiselle, how to spell this word?

Is this the right answer, Jane?

I don't even see you anymore

You sit so far now, what a shame!"

"Ah yes monsieur, it pains me too."

But more I could not say.

For gazing into his kind dark eyes

my heart did accelerate.

What is this queer feeling, now!

Why do I blush, by God!

Please don't tell me, oh may not

This be the curse of love.

Day after day, the pain increased 

as he spoke less to me.

He saw great distance between us

and thus finally let it be.

My affection stopped, so abrupt

It simply could not go on.

I would not ever surrender a heart - 

when it shall break - before long.

But secret glances dotted the class,

and thoughts of him my night.

He was the joy of French Class

Warm as the morning light.

Time flew, months passed, classes drew

near to semester's end;

He would soon leave, a few weeks hence - 

for college would then begin.

I would not think; I would not act;

I refused the fact at all

that tomorrow he will leave the school

and on a new journey board.

Yet it came - the end - the day - 

I saw him in spot-light

Cap and gown, shaking hands 

With the principal smiling bright.

"Congratulations, monsieur." I said

My heart aching and sad;

He thanked me warm and joyfully

And turned without a glance.

Friends, Family, lads and girls,

all came to yell "congrats!"

And him, my partner, surrounded by smiles,

seemed so far away - so fast.

When I quit the school that night,

tears streaming, heart sore

for soon enough, I knew for sure

he would remember me no more.

"Madmoiselle, one moment please,

We haven't said goodbye!"

There he was, cap in hand,

Walking into my sight.

"Farewell then, monsieur." I murmured

Alas, why must we part!

He approached me close, disguised by night,

And me into his arms then brought.

"Well chere amie, I wish you luck;

Good by for now, my Jane.

But bear in mind - forget me not - 

Until we meet again!"

Author's Note

Trying to tell a modern story in old-fashioned language xD Constructive criticism much appreciated.

Reviews

[Tavar]

This is a very nice story, I do enjoy it greatly. There were several parts though it felt confusing who was talking. For example around when they exchanged what they got on the test. I did enjoy the way it was written though. With the language/speech style they are using. It felt like it added a sweet romantic feel to the already existing love story theme. I may not be the best for constructive criticism, but I do enjoy this poem very much. A beautiful story indeed!

[Mikahli]

Yes I think you're right, some dialogues could use some revisions. And I just found out the rhyme scheme is off at several places. I really need to get to editing later xD Thanks though! I'm glad yo u liked it!