our stock is rising, emily

we sat on our hands for days
thinking it would get us somewhere.

a very pretty girl walked by

who wore boots that either sounded like a herd of cattle
or rapidly approaching gunfire

and asked us what we were doing
and we all felt ridiculous
and took to our feet.


months later,
at the school dance,
we held her close
and she pretended not to be offended by our erection

and suddenly everything was wonderful
and smelled very clean.