AFTER THE BALL GAME 1962

After the ball game

on the high school

playing field

Shoshana is still

sitting there

with another girl

so I go over to her

and she blushes slightly

and I say

what did you think?

she looks at me

and says

not very good

are you?

I smile

no not much

but they will

insist I play

at least you're honest

she says

I am

best way

I reply

the other girl

stands up and says

don't want to play

gooseberry see you

later Shoshana

and she walks off

something I said?

I say

no I think she finds

boys embarrassing

Shoshana says

I look at her

sitting there

dark hair

long straight

bell will ring

in a minute

she says

best get back

towards school

she stands up

and I say

where do you live?

I live a little way away

I get a school bus home

she says

so do I

I say

I know you do

she says

you get on

the same bus

as I do

I look at her

do I?

yes you've not seen me

I get on as quick

as I can

she says

I see you though

a bell rings

from school

well see you later then

I say

and she's off

leaving me there

and I wander back to school

across the grass

watching her go

her slight figure

in the afternoon sun

taking note

of her neat ***

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