13 - A Memory Fragment (for S.M.)

the new schoolyard was no
deeper
just wider. i
trudged. 13.
lost in my shoes.

eyes downcast, i
was the one
who saw that purple ribbon.

because i was the shy one
i was holding it
when she noticed it gone
from her hair.

if i had been a bolder
braver 13
we might not have danced
that fall.



Thanks to Jeff Griffiths for teaching my Writers' Craft class today, for this activity, and for dredging up this memory. Thanks to S.M., wherever she is, for the dance.