She sat across the aisle from me
Her heart-shaped face was sweet
Several freckles dotted the bridge
of her pert nose

I loved to watch her
pony-tailed blonde hair
sway as she walked up and
down the classroom aisles

I was in sixth grade
she a year younger
We were in a split classroom
both of us were small, had
special lower hooks
in the cloak room
I'd help with her coat and
boots in winter

In spring, summoning courage
I asked to walk her home
She lived six blocks west
Of the school
I lived four blocks east
I didn't care, the distance

As we walked she allowed
me to hold her hand
I thought my heart would
jump from my chest

We climb the four cement steps
To her front door
She turned and kissed me
We were together until
my senior year of college

She seeps into my thoughts