Christina sat outside
the science block
for the school photo

she and others in her class
some sitting
others standing

boys and girls
the teacher standing
to one side

gesturing
with her hands
for composition

the photographer
by his camera
setting things

to light and shade
and who was where
and to what degree

Christina wishing
it all over
to get lunch

out the way
to see Benedict
on the sports field

after lunch
up by the fence
or by the edge

of the woods
the teacher whispering words
hush hush

she said
now everyone be still
hold that pose

everyone stiffened
one or two grin
or look away

at the last second
but Christina sat
as if frozen

her mind elsewhere
thinking of that day
she took Benedict

home for lunch
(her mother's suggestion)
and after soup

and bread and tea
her mother gone off
to shop

she took Benedict
to tour the house
inside and out

and up the stairs
and said
this is my room

and opened the door
and they stood
looking in

the curtains drawn
the room fresh polished
the bed made

her clothes put away
(thank God)
her doll lying on top

(an old gift
still loved)
she hesitated

looking in
he beside her
their hands within inches

of touching
he said
nice room

neater than mine
and she wished
he could take her there

so she could stare
and maybe
but he lived too far

from school
for her to go
as she lived

in the town
of the school
a mere few minutes walk

downstairs
her mother's voice calling
just coming

Christina said
Benedict wanted the loo
and they walked downstairs

he in deep thought
she thinking what if
they'd been caught

once more
the photographer said
everyone keep that pose

and her thoughts moved on
to that other time
up near the wood

on the sports field
and he talking
of some teacher gone

from school
who had taken pupils
home during lunch

and she was thinking
of how near they stood
to the wood

and if only they could
but what?
she asked herself

what if they had
what would it involve?
instinct and desires

the kissing
and holding
and him being near

but what else?
ok that will do
the teacher said

all done now
the photographer said
and they were free

to move
and walk
and she moved

and got ready
to go for lunch
then see Benedict

on the field
by the fence
or by the nearby wood

and find out
what else
if she could.