A stunning picture, I first thought, a great collage
the word that fit just would not come, I was in awe,
a sculptured portrait, in a marble-kissed montage
so still and peaceful, and so carnal in the raw.
Stark naked, legs of cream and kept apart
by just a tuft of auburn hair, all curled and coarse,
she was the image of a royal piece of art,
and as I stood I felt my voicebox going hoarse.
One hand lay, casually, across her breast
a wave appeared to point but maybe not,
I had been the invited special guest
the room was crowded and the summernight was hot.
*******************
You were the woman of a schoolboy's secret dreams,
ten years my senior and your interest lay with me.
Life is not always what's expected, so it seems,
I gripped within my hand your precious silver key.
I never will, and if I live a hundred years,
decipher what my budding brain misunderstood,
yes there were demons and the usual childhood fears
here was a chance to get immersed, the chance was good.
I heard your breathing metamorph into a snore,
on silent feet I turned my life around and ran,
It was the first time I declined an open door,
I was a schoolboy then and not quite yet a man.
Herbert Nehrlich
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-schoolboy-remembers/
