BIRTHDAY GIFT 1962

A BOY AND GIRL AT HIGH SCHOOL IN 1962

I passed the gym with Rolly
he was talking
about his weekend

with the parents
and how his dad
wanted to go fishing

but the mother-in-law came
and that was it
but I was thinking of Yiska

I'd not seen her since Friday
and she hadn't
been there

when I got off
the school bus  
and she usually

was waiting eager-eyed
maybe she was ill
I thought

maybe she'd forgotten
to meet the bus
and Rolly was still yapping

about his gran
when Yiska came
out of the the gym

with another girl
Yiska smiled
and touched my arm

and said
I was late
I missed

your bus coming in
the other girl
walked off

down the passageway
but Rolly stood there
watching

hands in pockets
gawking disapprovingly
see you lunchtime

on the field?
I asked
sure will

she said smiling
squeezing my arm
and she went off

in her P.E. gear
short green skirt
yellow top

and as she walked away
with her swaying hips
I thought it was my birthday.