School Boy Love

She always looked bright eyed, bushy tailed

When I looked at her, my heart almost failed

A smile to rival a psychedelic sunrise

Sparking eyes seemingly witty and wise

An emerald green to rival richest gem

Her mere presence fried my very brain stem

Yet why would this goddess speak to me

When she can have any guy she sees?

So I watched daily worshipping from afar

As each day she carried my heart in a jar

Then came the day she dropped a book in the hall

I snatched at it so quick I took a tumbling fall

She smiled and giggled as I turned red

I could only wish that I were dead

I looked so silly lying on the ground

Berating myself silently, not whispering a sound

Yet she said thank you and held out a hand

My heart pounded like a drummer in a metal band!

Our hands touched, her skin on mine

My blood rushed hot as our fingers entwined

Sheepishly smiling I held out her text

Praying she wouldn’t at my stupidity be vexed

Yet she took the book with a lovely grin

Which my yearning soul counted as a win

Then she started to turn away

This goddess untouchable with a lovely sway

Though my heart was caught in my throat

It was now or never to captain this boat

Swallowing hard, knowing she was beyond my reach

I stammered out, “Michelle do you like the beach?”

“Yes I do Andy,” she replied

She knew my name, I almost died

Quizzically she looked at me standing there

As I wrung my hands and tried not to stare

Finally I managed to ask if she’d like to go with me

To the boardwalk by the sea

Maybe she felt sorry for me, I don’t know

But my entire soul lit when she said she’d go

I picked her up Saturday at noon

And dear lord that bikini was a boon

We talked by the surf about school and friends

We discussed the latest social trends

Turns out we shared favorite books in common

We both cut up hot dogs in our ramen

Slowly I relaxed and became more myself

As I learned she wasn’t porcelain on a shelf

Michelle was more than just a lovely face

She was a smart, capable person able to keep pace

Like everyone else she had problems and worries

Things from which she ran those to which she hurried

We got to know each other as actual people

Though a cheerleader she wasn’t a sheeple

When she rubbed lotion on my back

I knew her touch was what heaven lacked

Then she took a finger full and popped it on my nose

Her tinkling laughter I felt to my toes

So I flicked a finger full of lotion at her face

Then we took off on a sandy race

At last breathless we splashed in the froth

I knew when this day was over I’d truly be wroth

We spoke of the future, our hopes and dreams

We disagreed on our favorite ice creams

She liked vanilla and I preferred strawberry

But we both liked Del’s Creamery by the library

Taking a chance I reached for her hand

A three year ambition played out on warm sand

She took my hand and rubbed my palm

A soothing comfort to my soul a balm

I felt the tingle to the soles of my feet

As I felt like any enemy for her I’d defeat

A month later I asked her to a dance

If with a klutz she’s be willing to prance

The rest of high school a fantasy played out

Until the day of graduation shouts

Michelle went off to a brand new school

We tried to keep touch but finally went cool

A few years later I met the true love of my life

No day better than when Emily became my wife

But even now I wonder occasionally what might have been

Would I trade now for long ago then?

The answer is no, but I’ll never regret

That first heat of love which I’ll never forget

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There actually was a Michelle in my high school daze (😂). She was bright, pretty, witty and good at math. I was in the throes of teen love which feelslike the entire world depends on being with her. I don’t really know what happened to her over the years, but I always think of her when I hear Michelle by The Beatles. …. I hope she has had a wonderful life and is as happy as I am.