First Kiss

Photo by Cassi Stewart on Unsplash

One week
before my 16th birthday.
Maybe I’m a late bloomer
or maybe
I was just waiting for a boy
who actually
brushed his teeth.

Sitting on the staircase at the mall
next to a giant Christmas tree.
Old people sang Christmas carols under us
in tune
but off key.
It could’ve been a scene on the Hallmark channel,
but it felt
more like a horror movie.

I don’t regret who it was with,
I just wish Rudolph
wasn’t in such a hurry.
Santa never even made it to town.

Neither did we.

© Gina Clingan 2017

From my book, Redford, which can be purchased here.