A good time?

How good it was to be alive,

feeling, enjoying my exuberance of spirit,

slim teenager then, still foot and fancy free...

I strolled with ease the main streets of our city,

looked kindly on those who looked kindly on me.

*

Then there came towards me, smiling,

a slim and fresh teenager like myself.

In the midst of people passing on the pavement,

she came up close, and speaking softly said to me,

Hello. Would you like a good time, with me?

*

I smiled, shook my head, and walked on

before what she'd said had registered with me.

I stopped, turned  'round, saw people watching,

knowing, as I knew, what she'd just offered,

bewildered she'd just propositioned me.

*

A few work mates would have laughed

and mocked my quick innocent rejection.

What they'd have done had they been in my place...

but, oh, how sad I felt as I looked on that maiden,

I never could have used her as she'd suggested then.

*

Where is she today, I wonder?

How often have I thought on that,

that and her thoughts on my refusal that day.

Was it her looks, her form or personality

I disapproved of, rejecting what she had to say?

*

I do wish I'd had

the chance once to meet her,

on equal terms, both innocent and unstained.

How different then would have been our conversation,

leading to who knows? Well, I think a better way.

*

© Dennis Crompton 1985

(first published www.denniscrompton.wordpress.com 2013)