IN THE GYM.

A BOY AND GIRL IN THE SCHOOL GYM IN 1962.

Christina
was by the tuck shop
in the school corridor
in mid morning recess

don't eat
too many sweets
I said
got to watch

your figure
she was with
other girls
who giggled

I thought you watched
my figure anyway
she said smiling
of course

I said
she bought
a couple of Wagon Wheels
and she left

the girls there
and walked with me
along the corridor
bought one for you

she said
I took it
and said
thank you

we walked further down
until we came
to the gym
and sneaked in

one of the doors
it was empty
so we sat
on the one

of the benches
by the wall
didn't have time
for breakfast this morning

she said
my mother
was in one
of her moods

and I couldn't
put up
with her moans
so I came to school

early so now
I’m hungry
well have
this Wagon Wheel back

I don't need it
I said
no you have it
she said

why was your mother
in a mood?
I asked
she said my room

was untidy
and that I do nothing
about the house
and is it

and don't you?
I asked
it is
she said

and I don't
so she gets
all moody and moans
Christina bit

into the Wagon Wheel
and I ate mine
sunlight poured
into the high windows

of the gym
making patterns
on the floor
voices from outside

echoed
around the walls
after we had eaten
our sweets

she said
we have time
to kiss don't we?
I guess so

I said
she leaned in
and kissed my lips
and I kissed hers

putting my arms
around her waist
just then
a prefect came in

one of the doors
and saw us
and said
what are you doing

in here?
you should be out
in the playground
or on the sports field

not in here
so we sighed
and went out
of the gym

and along
the corridor
the prefect shouting
at us from behind

our backs
but the kiss
still lingered
on my lips

warm wet and soft
and the prefect
didn't feel that
I bet.