She Radiates

A boy's transition Uncertainty awkwardness fear Too young for hope, too inexperienced in yearning Aware of beauty, but just the eyes and memory Of sunny noisy crowded halls and gymnasiums Bursting with adolescent giddiness A restless morning courtyard littered with a handful of bystanders She always caught his attention Tall slender bouncing and gliding on the balls of her feet That beacon of a smile framed by flawless full lips The smile never intended for him But he glowed just the same Everything did She radiates A young man's transition Uncertainty awkwardness reckless Confusing hormones for feelings Beauty cannot be held by these nor treasured, nor respected She smiled at him Young men are such foolish creatures that decadence cannot loose them from their folly But he never forgot.... She radiates A man's transition Certain weathered yearning to behold what he's crossed oceans and not seen again What mountain tops have not risen to reveal or jungle concealed or prairie failed to whisper Like those grounds once contained She radiates