Homecoming -
October moon - fat and low -
stealing through the trees
is
watching,
always with us
as we walk.
My hand in your jacket pocket
warms yours as
leaves float with our feelings
and crackle underfoot.
All too soon, we are home.
Inside the garage
away from the moon's prying eyes
we stand
on cold cement
waiting
watching
wondering
Can I kiss you?
Can I kiss you Caren,
with sapphire eyes
and soft cotton skin,
who brought the Clash
to our small town
then left
when we laughed.
Moved away from small town boys
and homecoming dances,
evenings at the Dairy Queen
and nights under stars
with rough handed boys
who loved football and Budweiser
and then you.
Stole into the shadows of city
with an unlisted phone number.
Was it to stop
boys like me from calling?
Did she want to forget?
Had she forgotten what she once said:
"Can I kiss you, Caren?"
"Yes."
David Hessert
