By Jen Houle

Twelve-Year-Old's Momentary Crush on 'J. Crew Boy'

I feel like I’m twelve
crammed into auditorium chairs
my hands clammy.
You are beautiful
strong    hands   folded
next to me.
Passing notes in notebooks
never intended for notes.
It’s     been    a    loooong   time
since I’ve looked at someone
and thought he was beautiful
and wanted to REACH OUT
and hold hands.

Someone other than he
who     has       held me 

held my hands

 held me
for as    loooooong
as I can remember.
The only thing I remember
before him
is being twelve
crammed into auditorium chairs
my hands clammy
the seventh grade boy
I had a crush on
sitting next to me.

But now next to me
you’ve     taken    my mind
for a second 

to dream of strong hands
wrapped around mine
crammed into auditorium chairs
passing notes in notebooks.
Never intended
our words to meet.