Rearview
It began with a locker slam
in the hallway before first period.
She giggled as I dropped papers
and my lunch on the floor.
“Sorry, you’re funny and I’m
late for French!”
Wow, what happen? Does she
like me? No, couldn’t be.
Then it was the soccer game
against Avril Park High. Me, as
defender scored a wrong goal.
At the half I slunk back to the
bench hearing boos and jeers.
Coming up behind me she said,
“It’s fine, go back and get’em!”
My heart leaped with joy.
Then a first kiss in my car in
her driveway as the porch light
blinked on-and-off, signal to
stop and get inside.
I drove home in a daze, and singing.
Dates, ice skating, walks, prom,
graduation and summer jobs.
Off to college; she to one me
another, 100 miles apart -
a string of efforts to hold on,
and be “steady,” -
it ended as she found another,
I remain still looking back.