My First Crush

Toothless, grinning from a happy recess

Classmates chattering curiously close to you

New kid in class, everyone was wide eyed with wonder

My eyes finally met yours, my heart fell

//

The thumping, hard in my ears

Thump, thump, thump

Blood racing like Olympic runners to my cheeks

Thump, thump, thump

Both of us toothless and barley six

Thump, thump, thump

She sat you in the desk next to me

Thump, thump, thump

My stomach felt the flutter of furocios butterflies

Thump, thump, thump

//

My eyes never left you that year

Or the next, or the next, or the next

We played and made dirt pies at recess

Pokémon cards, pogs, and yo-yos

My heart racing, always present

Thump, thump, thump

//

First crush, you never knew

All those years, I always had you in my heart and mind

Thump, thump, thump

I loved you from afar but close to you as friends

Adult decisions took you away

“We are moving to Florida.”

Thump, thump, thump

Tears swelled and sweaty palms

Hugged you close

You gave me your favorite yo-yo

We said we would write each other

Thump, thump, thump

Goodbye

//