Passing Ships 1962 Poem by Terry Collett

Yiska sees Benny
walking by
the tuck shop
in the corridor

she is with her friend
on their way
to Geography
with Mr P

wait
she says
I must talk
with Benny

and follows Benny
a few paces
then says
Benny

he turns
and sees her
where are you going?
she asks

science
he says
some nonsense
about gravity

and falling bodies
or such
wish our bodies
could fall

somewhere together
she says smiling
me too
he says

Yiska's friend
stood a few paces back
arms folded
a bored expression

on her face
what about lunch recess
can we meet?
she asks

sure why not
he replies
she lingers
feeling a kiss

coming on
her body bubbling
where abouts?
she asks

meet by
the maths block
quieter there
at lunch time

she nods
senses he might
go soon
and grabs

his arm
and pulls him
towards her
and kisses him

on the lips
Benny holds her briefly
feels her waist
then they part

the friend over the way
looks down
at the floor
see you later

she says
he nods
and walks off
in a hurry

to his next class
she watches him go
her body alive
her nerves aglow.