To Belong

Larry Schwartz was a nice guy,

And he was really popular.

To be invited to lunch with Larry and the guys

Was worth a lot.

It was an easy decision to toss Mom’s sandwich,

A good salami with mustard on Rye,

(Telling them it was just a cream cheese and jelly.)

In favor of being one of the boys.

From time to time Gail Smith was Larry’s girlfriend.

Gail was unattached

When we accidentally meet on Avenue U one year later.

It was very nice, talking to this pretty girl.

We said goodbye without my getting her phone number,

Without my inviting her to a Saturday movie,

Without my doing anything that might be constructive.

I was a fifteen year old with few social skills, in torment.

If I had a fresh salami sandwich

It might have led to our sitting on a park bench.

I sure wished I had that sandwich to share with Gail.

Did I say Gail was really nice and very pretty?

We could have gone to the movies,

Maybe held hands.

I would have walked her home,

And she would have become my girlfriend.