A WHOLE LONG TIME 1962

A BOY AND GIRL MEET ON A HIGH SCHOOL BUS IN 1962

John sees Elaine
get on
the school bus

he is of two minds
whether to study her
as she goes by

maybe even smile
or look away
in case some other sees

and tease her
as they are
wont to do

and Goldfinch
beside him
talks about the goals

he scored
at lunchtime
and how the best one

was on his left foot
John nods his head
but doesn't care a fig

he wants to see Elaine
and she is there
along the aisle

her eyes behind
her thick lens glasses
looking downwards

her hair windswept
or looking so
and her sister

behind her says
come on Elaine
where's the funeral?

why so slow?
Elaine moves on
and as she passes

gives John
a quick glimpse
and small smile

and looks at him
for the briefest of time
yet the time

seems to him
an eternity
as if the world

has stopped
and it is just him
and her

and her smile
lasting
the whole long while.