The Neighbor Boy

I was sixteen budding and fulfilling. He was fifteen searching and awkward, walking me home from a bus stop backwards, carrying my bags, strutting a silly-grin valor. What a sweet little braggart, trying to woo me. Quiet and shy with his little trick, a smile hesitantly grown, an innocent blossom of trust. Twisted feet tripped, he stuttered, my heart gripped. One week later still he walked me, holding my bag sweetly and silently. I grew bold in his attention our walks extended and moved for privacy. Budding and grinning I tripped, fell, and he caught me. I was seventeen and haughty and proud. He was sixteen budding and promising... Life fell apart as the world caved in around me, exploding inwards I fell, and he caught me. He has held me all these years never leaving. A promise of trust and love unending And still his quiet slow grin unbends my heart and makes the world re-spin.