Elaine folds
and unfolds
a flowered
handkerchief
in her lap
in the bus
(the school bus)
her sister
beside her
talking to
her best friend
Elaine knows
the boy John
sits near by
she can see
him if she
leans over
the seat top
but she sits
where she is
feeling down
and depressed
she'll tell John
when she can
what they say
the others
Old Frumpy
they call her
her hand smooths
the flowered
handkerchief
in her lap
corners neat
edges straight
it is John's
handkerchief
he gave it
when she cried
the last time
it was clean
and unused
when he gave
smelt of soap
and fresh air
it absorbed
her wet tears
when held there
and John said
at that time
the kiss was
meant to show
what I feel
and she can
(if she sits
quietly)
feel it still
on her lips.
Oct 15, 2014
Oct 15, 2014 at 1:58 AM UTC
Elaine folds
and unfolds
a flowered
handkerchief
in her lap
in the bus
(the school bus)
her sister
beside her
talking to
her best friend
Elaine knows
the boy John
sits near by
she can see
him if she
leans over
the seat top
but she sits
where she is
feeling down
and depressed
she'll tell John
when she can
what they say
the others
Old Frumpy
they call her
her hand smooths
the flowered
handkerchief
in her lap
corners neat
edges straight
it is John's
handkerchief
he gave it
when she cried
the last time
it was clean
and unused
when he gave
smelt of soap
and fresh air
it absorbed
her wet tears
when held there
and John said
at that time
the kiss was
meant to show
what I feel
and she can
(if she sits
quietly)
feel it still
on her lips.
A GIRL ON A SCHOOL BUS FEELING DEPRESSED IN 1962.
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