Sunday, August 17, 2008

Mary Mageau: A PARTING GIFT

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A note was passed to me in French class. I opened it and read, ‘Patrick McKinnon really likes you, Mary Jane.’ After school I saw Patrick loitering near the oak tree on my corner. As I passed he called out, ‘Hey, Mary Jane, I’ve got somethin for you.’ Then without warning he put his arms around me and pressed his clenched lips hard against my mouth. I was able to struggle away from him and run toward the safety of home.

Soon afterward the McKinnon family moved away from our town. Patrick was long forgotten until years later when I unexpectedly came upon his name.

first kiss
now plastic flowers
decorate your grave

by Mary Mageau
Samford, Qld., Australia
first published in Paper Wasp, Winter 2008

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