DUTCH AND GIRLS 1962

Dutch was one
for the girls.

He only had
to look at a girl
and she'd
wet herself
with excitement.

Or so he said
and he said it
in such a way
I believed him.

Even at
the back of class
he'd eye the girls
especially the girls
I thought
beyond his reach
who considered
themselves
above the rest
of us plebish
school boys.

But no
he'd get them
to react
to make
faces at him
or smile
or mouth words
at him.

I'd sit there
beside him
wishing it was me
they were thrilled
over or reacted to.

But no
it was him
Dutch
they went for
him they
crowded around
on the playing field
at lunch recess.

Once he took a girl
in the small wood
up beside
the playing field
and I sat
watching other boys
play football
wondering
what he and she
were up to.

Later they
came back
and he sat there
beside me
and watched
the ballgame
and let off
an inner glow.

Why I didn't know
well I did
but didn't
want it
to show.