We stopped in the porch
of the church
as the others had
gone into the church
for choir practice

the moon was bright
stars sprinkled
we were shadowy
in the porch
light and darkness

Yehudit was breathing heavy
sounding out of breath
not often we get
to be alone
she said

no guess not
I said

she looked out
at the moon
hearing the voices
of the others
becoming distant

you do love me
don't you?
she said
looking back at me

sure I do
I said

do you mean it?
she asked

of course I do
wouldn't say it
otherwise
I said

she looked at me
her eyes
were half hidden
in the semi dark

you seem to avoid me
at school
she said
even in class
you seldom
look my way

I pondered
on her words
she was right
I didn't peer
in her direction
in class
or seek her
out much at school
unless we were on
the sports field
if the weather was good

I’m with Rolland a lot
we have a laugh
can't get
into this romance thing
in class
anyway you're one side
of the class
and I’m the other

but you could
still look at me
and smile
when I do
she said

I do smile

not often
not enough

I blew you a kiss
the other day
I said

I missed that

you turned your head
at the wrong minute
it hit the back
of your head

I feel neglected
she said
I loved you
the first time
I saw you that day
you started at our school
I loved you
from the first moment

I gazed
at the showy outline
of her hair
untidy as usual
her breath
like shallow smoke
in the air
I noticed
I said
your eyes seldom
left that first day

do you love me?
she said

sure I do
I said

there were voices
coming from the church
singing had begun

we're going to be late
I said

kiss me

I kissed her
we hugged
we kissed again
then taking my hand
she pulled me
into the evening
and into the rain.