Staring

I sang in my elementary school choir.
One competition, we sat onstage the whole time.
A cute, dark-haired boy caught my eye.
I stared at him, and kept staring.
He noticed. Nudged his friend.
That friend nudged another.
The circle of uncomfortable children
Expanded, concentric circles in a pond.
When we left, hands pointed to me: There she goes.
Notoriety from a half hour focus, so socially askew.

I have heard that the Medievals believed that the eyes
Sent out beams, and that those beams could
Entwine. How quaint.

And yet … that stare was not nothing.
The power in that look surprised me.
And I’ve never tried it again.