Homeroom Girl 1968
I stared at her pale neck with the purple bruise,
bite shaped. I wondered at her boldness,
not caring that all of us could see.
Bleached blond sitting in home room, defiant,
daring anyone to ask how’d she come to get that.
Assigned home room by our last names, a clue.
Could I find her in the yearbook? I can’t remember
her name but want to find her, so she won’t be nobody
any more, not just the girl with the purple bite.
16 thoughts on "Homeroom Girl 1968"
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i’m always a sucker for the afterimage of strangers past, loved this
Mani, thank you. I like the way you expressed it as “afterimage,” which is exactly what it felt like. For some reason, she came to mind after 50+ years. She was so quiet, sad. I didn’t know her.
This is haunting and wonderfully concise.
Thank you, Linda and Mani!
That boldness tells us so much about this girl – and about the speaker, who doesn’t want the girl to be defined by a bruise.
Nice Shelda – We all wonder about those ‘nobody’s
I appreciate the description, Linda. It felt haunting to think of her suddenly after all these years. She was just a teenager in homeroom, and I didn’t know her, but her demeanor remained with me.
This brings back thoughts of a classmate in third grade — I wonder …
Thanks, Shelda
There are so many flashbacks to kids and teens I remember. You’re welcome, Mary
Yo Shelda! So good to hear from you through a poem. I thought of girls in my high school who showed off their “”hickeys”proudly—including me! Some wanted, others forced? Kim from mfa
Oh, Kim!!!!! I am so happy to see this from you! How did we lose touch?? Yes, remember when hickeys were such a big deal? I would guess, yes, some wanted and others not.
email me!!
Favorite lines: I stared at her pale neck with the purple bruise,
bite shaped. I wondered at her boldness,
not caring that all of us could see.
Thanks, Pam. It always helps to know which lines reverberate with readers.
Wow, Shelda — that first tercet is so perfect. Thanks for this. Hope you’re well.
Thanks, Kevin. Yes, I am well and hope you are too!
Thanks, Kevin. Yes, I am well and hope you are too!