A girl imagines she could jump.

Despite a window in place,

and four metres of space.

Still, she imagines.

 

                          Above her,

 

the noise is – 

Leaking.

Through his head

phones he can hear –

it.

It’s not quite a buzz –

he can hear it even though

it’s not quite a buzz and

He’s wearing his headphones and

it’s leaking.

 

The girl adjacent wants you to 

Please excuse the pun.

As she speaks, the room

cannot find the pun.

 

                            Yet, 

 

The room does not exist

but for his eyes,

Thinks a boy as he

lets his hand fall,

between their two chairs.

 

The man in the corner pulls at his hair

because he is looking at the girl looking

at the window

imagining she could jump.

 

 

 

 

Think your name would look good in print? Woroni is always open for submissions. Email write@woroni.com.au with a pitch or draft. You can find more info on submitting here.