Fourteen year old eyes enhanced by her first mascara
Lips glistening with her sister’s lipstick; “Shining Sahara”
Scrubbed feet carefully squeezed into funky new shoes
Pretty blouse teamed with jeans, it took her forever to choose
Her father drives her to the party, a stream of protective words
Fatherly advice that transforms into a tale of bees and birds
He kisses her flushed cheek goodbye and watches as she leaves
His little girl is growing up so fast he finds it difficult to believe
The door opens to smiling faces, laughter and music blaring
Amid girly squeals, she can’t help but notice a figure in the background staring
Her pounding heart skips a beat and her hands start to tremble
He is here; the focus of a crowd of “groupies” that’s started to assemble
The night is a heady collage of gossip, tunes and endless dancing
Her heart leaps as she knows that in her direction, he is often glancing
Later, in the kitchen, she indulges in her favourite pumpkin pie
Adorned with cream, she takes a spoonful; her taste buds begin to fly
She is so lost in the moment, she hardly notices him at first
She catches her reflection, mouth caked in creamy crumbs; the worst!
He smiles at her fondly and giggles at her reddening cheeks
She is the prettiest, most lovely sight that he has seen in weeks
She cannot meet his eyes, so young and awkward she feels
Her heartbeat threatens to deafen her; drowning out music and girly squeals
She fumbles around for a napkin, to wipe her greedy jaws
The “Shining Sahara” no more; she has nowhere to hide her flaws
At his first touch, she feels she will die there and then
He holds a napkin to her face and winks at her again
Laughing, he pulls her close and she is unable to resist
She has dreamed of this moment; being lost in his kiss
Crumbs of sweet crust forgotten, she melts into his arms
He smells of cologne mixed with cinnamon; the pumpkin pie’s charm
Her eyes close, her last coherent thought, as her lips part for a kiss;
There is nothing as delicious; nothing sweeter than this
