Self Belief

On the last day of term
the last day ever of high school
a blurr of chores
home room cleaned, forms signed, books returned.
And then farewell
to uniforms, to regulation hair, to teachers
the long summer stretches out …. to university.

University
freedom, choice and girls.
Girls
lying in wait
to liberate Catholic boys from imprisoned sexuality.

After six weeks, puzzlement
not only less than irresistible
easily ignored
two surprised minds confer.
Reasons discussed and dismissed
then clarity
transport is lacking
wheels are needed for the carnal highway.

It wasn’t easy on the eye – true
rumpled of appearance and bronchial of sound
carbon dated by fins and chrome
and nearing retirement
a vehicle more likely to attract derision, than the opposite sex.
But that was lost on optimism
whose very first act was to pay a toll to nirvana
and purchase a packet of condoms.

The car never graduated university
my friend went to Australia the holidays of our third year
found more sunshine
work
a woman who became his wife
and never returned.
It remained at his parents’
until an intersection of opportunity and frustration
the front lawn could be reclaimed
and trades training had a use for the car.

I often wonder the reaction
when apprentice panel beaters removed the door linings
and found those condoms
still there …… and still unopened.