Noah heads to woodshop,
his early elective,
and I remember the plan
to meet Lisa.
I walk up the stairs toward the base
of the clock tower near the flower beds.
Slowly the other students slip
away toward the first classes of the day.
I don’t see her,
and I remember
that she’s unpredictable
and it’s not her fault.
She doesn’t owe me anything.
I hear her voice,
reminding me
we are friends no matter what.
I wait there
near the flower beds,
the sun and the fog
pouring into the morning,
until the clock tower
sounds the second bell,
and when she doesn’t come,
I head to English.