School Days

The last days of summer sigh, breathe out slowly. Summer colors fade. Mercurochrome leaves- burnt orange and lemon yellow- mimic the colors in my new wool sweater. Liquid saffron autumn light filtered through the trees, remind me of other days filled with envy. Me in plain brown oxfords, skirt not quite in style, hand-me-down dresses, coat from Woolworth. Brown bag lunch. Meat loaf sandwich. Embarrassing milk in a pint jar, lid screwed onto waxed paper. Academic IQ..Honor Roll, Social IQ: Dumb as a post. I'm so shy, I'm speechless, and just a little overweight. While princesses in white buck Spauldings, dyed-to-match sweater sets, swish crinolines under grey poodle skirts, flip their perfect page boy haircuts. They meet in the cafeteria, to dine on Jello and cottage cheese, a dollop of mayonaise on top; to discuss the latest fashion and who is "going steady" with whom.