SEEKING IN 1962

A BOY AND GIRL MEET ON A SCHOOL BUS IN 1962

Here Naaman
come sit here
Shoshana

calls to me
on the bus
from the school

I sit down
next to her
(usually

I sit with
another
called Goldfinch)

she is shy
looking out
the window

as the bus
draws away
from the school

how was it
in the lessons?
I ask her

double maths
I hated it
she replies

she smells nice
like fresh soap
appley

there is noise
on the bus
loud voices

and laughter
and music
from the bus

radio
her green skirt
has a stain

from some source
her white blouse
is open

at the neck
her school tie
is undone

suddenly
our hands meet
and hold on

resting there
in her lap
no one sees

or seems to
care if seen
warmly wet

my own thumb
rubs her hand
want to kiss

she whispers
but not here
tomorrow?

I ask her
at the school?
yes some place

tomorrow
she whispers
we sit there

holding hands
in her lap
I sense her

body there
the center
of her own

gravity
pulling me
towards her

some music
blasting out
from speakers

my fingers
wanting to
go research

like seekers.