there was the ice-cream parlour
on the corner
of Sunrise Highway
and Atlantic Avenue
that you never frequented
but she sat there
on a stool
among the many high school jocks
who admired her long legs
and slender ankles
that bright cheerleader smile
the girl you pined for
but hope faded
when she called you
dear friend
and patted your hand
like a pet dog
while she glided down rows
of desks
toward the front
leaving you in the back
next to the window
gazing out
hoping to see
the future
you belonged in
but which clearly
did not hold
ice-cream parlours
and cheerleader smiles