Northern mornings
when the city bus could barely
contain us
laughing and screaming,
we ran down the sidewalk
Stop
nuns ruled with stern propensity toward borderline abuse
rare kindness interjected on a whim
imposed styles and beliefs
plaid skirts and saddle shoes
toxic scent of white polish
unruly scuff
kick pleat
starched collars
what lay beneath
the possession
of young girls by nature
detected by the boys
no permission required
