When I was a freshman in high school
I wrote a poem
I had to read it to my English class
As ordered
I read it

Later that day
In Math
A girl from the English class
Who rarely spoke to me
Asked for a copy
(Of my poem!)

That night
Flattered
Elated
And *****
I printed the poem
And put it in a letter envelope

The next day
In English
She was three desks away
An extension of the arm
I could see her smile
Hear her thank me
And feel how it felt
As she told me how wonderful I was
But the envelope lay crumpled in the bottom of my backpack for years