Benedict Buzzed Wild 1962 Poem by Terry Collett

watched Elaine
get on the bus
with her mouthy sister
and others.

I looked at her
as she came up the aisle shyly.

We looked at each other
I smiled and she smiled
then went into the window seat
with her sister.

Her sister yakked
to nearby friends.

I looked out the window
at the passing scenery
wondering if she
was looking my way.

I press my lips together
pretending I was kissing her again
as I had that Sunday.

It was a brief kiss
a sort of stolen kiss
while her mother
was out of the room.

I sensed her body
next to mine
soft and warm.

The radio on the school bus
was playing some pop song
about love.

Shall I look over at her?
I looked at the passing fields
trees and cattle.

I wanted
to kiss her again
but longer.

Her sister
laughed loudly.

I stared hard
at the far off hills.

The sky looked
cloudy and grey
rain maybe.

I looked over at her
and she smiled
and I smiled.

I looked away
and my insides
buzzed wild.