We saw you
on the sports field
Frumpy
with that boy

at lunch break
a girl said
Elaine tried
to ignore them

pretended
they were annoying
summer flies
or one of ******* fly

that buzzed and buzzed
she had been
on the field
with the boy John again

he seemed
to understand better now
he was still
a little weird

with his talk of birds
and butterflies
and what flowers
they liked best


but it was good
to sit with him
and not have to worry

any more about him
kissing her
as she did
that time before

now he seemed
less keen
or maybe he
was waiting his chance

or maybe seeing
if she wanted to
and she wasn't sure
about kissing

it had been so unexpected
and something stirred
in her as he kissed her
that frightened her

and unsettled her
and she can still remember
the feeling inside
the feelings along

her nerves
she waited outside
the classroom
for the teacher

to come along
the other girls and boys
jostled each other
or whispered

one looked at her
and said
what was he after Frumpy?
did he want a feel?

mild laughter
smiles
she ignored
looked at her shoes

black and scuffed
her mother said
she'd get her
new ones later

she put the toes
of her shoes together
pushed them closer
bet he wanted a touch

of you Frumpy
a girl said
laughter on the air
Elaine stared

at the left shoe
felt her toes push
against the inside
John hadn't touched her

but did he want to?
she hoped not
but what if he did
and what sort of touch?

and where and why?
she pushed her toes
down hard
against the leather

she closed her eyes
hoped the teacher
would be along soon
bet she lets him

touch her
a boy said
he must be desperate
another said

she thought of home
and her bedroom
and the bed
and her doll

waiting for her
and some peace
inside her
14 year old head.