40

Whatever possessed the finger
Within the jumper to wrestle
With the tracks of the underground trestle
He released me, a bullet
Toward the Eaton Centre
To buy a nice looking touque

And, since it was windy,
To propel me south to Queen street
Through the mall, past the store
Where she-who-stood-me-up
Still stood, still behind the till
Asking "How are you?" I answered:

"Your apology
"Was someone writing a cheque
"To pay a telephone bill—
"One doesn't want to but does
"Anyway—an upleasant task,
"Done with, put out of the way." "I

"Don't know what to say," she said.
"Why not show a little courage
"And tell the truth?" I said.
To which she said, "OK,
"You're right," writing out
another cheque.

Her boyfriend was coming you see.
I saw and skeddaddled, but
Standing stock-still ten paces away,
Thought: "Hey! What am I running from?
"Why not stay and meet him?" and wrestled
Lightly ten minutes with a cigarette.

At half-past six I stood, she came.
"Where's your boyfriend?" I inquired.
"He's coming," she said and we stood
Eyes locked and I said:
"Why don't I stay
"And meet the two of you?"

"Please don't" she asked and I:
"I don't understand:—why not?"
We stood till he arrived
And stood some more,
No one speaking,
Wrestling.

"I just want to go home" she said
Finally, to which I said: "Sure,
"Go home." She breathed relief,
Looked down,
And he put his arm round her neck
To comfort, to gently enquire.

Since they led to Queen, I followed.
She spoke a word to a youngster
Who turned toward me and said:
"We don't want you to visit her
"In the store anymore." I laughed
In his face; he said: "I'm not kidding."

I stopped and called in clarion tone:
SHE STOOD ME UP!
"SATURDAY NIGHT!" He
Half turned, she clutched his hand
And flinched,
Led him to her lies.

Whatever possessed the finger
Within the jumper to wrestle
With the tracks of the underground trestle
He released me, a bullet
Toward the Eaton Centre
And a nice looking touque.


© Dan Goorevitch, 1995