For Jennifer

"Lean on me",
a phrase forgotten
as our boys turn men
and school days
now fill with snot
and Huggies diapers.
I still see you
lying on your lawn,
laughing at tomorrow.
Your grass has dried.
No more water fights,
the black pavement
burning our feet.
Jolt Cola can't bring
back the energy of youth,
but you might laugh-
if you heard me say
that skaters smile sexy.
It was our life, Jen.
Your green eyes
called the boys to slip
slowly into your arms.
We danced to songs
by the Cure in daylight.
"In Between Days"
have passed unnoticed.
"Why Can't I Be You"
I cried-I tried to be.
Thin fingers-so frail,
I feared callous boys
would snap and break
my girl-my best friend-
then. I let you go.
I lost you first
to jealousy and lust.
Such flirtatious eyes,
forest green innocence.
Gold rings on golden skin-
I swear I didn't steal.
I don't know why
you agreed to stick
by me in the end.
So soon, I forgot.
I only saw bikinis
and a hundred plus ten
of your perfect pounds.
I ignored your loyalty.
Kissing freckled face boys,
you invited me
to try out life,
beer and cigarettes
in the beach bathroom.
We spent endless hours
soaking in the sun,
flirting and faking smiles
to countless boys
we had yet to meet.
They caught on
to our scheming
and pushed us hard
against the bedpost
of our fading youth.
We had to choose
to run or to give in.
The sky grew darker
on your dried up grass.
My feet got too hot-
so I ran for my life!
I should have looked
back to see you stayed
behind. My Jennifer,
smile skater style.

3-11-93