she didn’t care
that I hadn’t washed in days
or changed
my tea-stained trousers
she, still in school. me
Huck Finn, with mohawk

we walked to her house
and ate
I didn’t care
what it was -
bread and cheese - whereas
now, I’d have to sleep
like a stuffed snake

she showed me
her room - with wallpaper
she’d outgrown -
and her pet rat

we didn’t seem to care
that it had a lump attached
that it lay on
like a beanbag
whereas now

in the dark, I’m crushed
at the sound
of snail-shells
cracking underfoot

August 2007