Richard George - After An Exam

Finished! So has she,
With ages left to go:
We sweep our desks, and chase each other

Out from ink and white
Into soft grey afternoon.
She asks me back for tea:

This stolen hour, our prize.
I look around, my mind
Still minutes, seconds quick:

Scruffy furniture,
And crib-sheets everywhere.
I turn my gaze on her:

The glasses, lips too full,
That centre-parted hair.
She smiles at me a smile

Down at heel and sweet,
Modestly disowning
A claim to be beautiful.

But now she smiles, she is,
This hour we steal from Time:
I see it, just this once,

The world come down to tea,
A girl, and no exam.
A picture, brief as light.

Richard George

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/after-an-exam/