ELAINE PENSIVE

A GIRL AND A BOY AND HER FAMILY IN 1962

She's pensive
while dressing
her sister

teasing her
about the
boy who came

to the house
to see her
well Elaine

will you sit
next to him
on the bus?

Elaine looks
at herself
in the large

square mirror
her sister
pulls a face

behind her
go away
Elaine says

just leave me
her sister
leaves the room

giggling
she still can't
believe that

the boy John
visited
yesterday

and kissed her
(no one saw)
on the lips

had she touched?
their lips met
breakfast time

Mother calls
she's dressed now
she goes down

for breakfast
knowing that
her mother

will go on
about John's
unannounced

visiting
making all
that happened

or didn't
seemingly
like a sin.