SLIGHT PERFUME 1962

A BOY AND GIRL IN 1962 AND ON A SCHOOL BUS

Shoshana
is already
on the bus

before me
I notice
a few seats

behind me
I sit next
to Goldfinch

he's talking
on football
and brings out

football card
shows me them
but my thought

are on her
Shoshana  
sitting there

a few seats
behind me
wondering

where about
she gets off
the school bus

each time it
stops I watch
to see who

it is that
gets off but
it's not her

I picture
in my mind
(ignoring

young Goldfinch)
Shoshana
trying to

hold her there
putting in
each aspect

of her that
I recall
then Goldfinch

stands up and
leaves the bus
then she sits

beside me
must see you
before I leave

she tells me
my stop's next
she blushing

but she talks
I don't get
a word in

just watch her
her dark hair
and her eyes

lips moving
her school tie
loosened up

I don't live
far from you
she tells me

we can meet
sure I say
then she's up

down the aisle
off the bus
and the space

beside me
radiates
where she was

a slight whiff
of perfume
(hers I  think

not Goldfinch
I presume).