Quinn
was a twin
his sister went
to St Clare's
a school for girls
who wanted
to be nun
when she was 21.
But he came to us
a school for boys
and girls
and to my class.
He was a tall
plump kid
with dark
thinning hair.
He sat
next to Brody
who smelt
of bubblegum
and Brylcreem.
What's your sister
look like?
I said.
She's like me
without the dark
thinning hair
he said.
How comes
she went
to an all
girls' school
and not here
with you?
I said.
My parents thought
an all girls' school
might be better.
They're
probably right
I said
can't trust
boys here.
He nodded
guess so.
Why does
she want
to be a nun?
I said.
She always has
since she was 6
and saw our aunt
who's a nun.
I see
I said
what about you?
you want to be
nun too?
No I thought
about being
a priest
though
he said
seriously.
So is that why
you don't come
to assembly
with the rest of us
you're
a Roman Catholic?
I said.
He nodded
yes all
my family are
but the Roman
Catholic school
is too far way
for me to go.
I see
I said.
I showed him
the girl I liked
up on
the sports field
who was
playing netball
with her class.
She was wearing
a short green skirt
and yellow top
and now and then
as she jumped up
a sight of green
underwear.
Quinn looked
away shy.
I stood
and gave
a steady stare.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem