She fell in love at first in 7th grade,
and only wanted hours more with him.
Adults said puppy love, and underplayed
her passion (she’s a child – it’s a whim),
but looking back from nearly 60 years,
she meant those young emotions – they were real.
A week at age 13 never appears
as fleet to youth as age’s spinning wheel.

Another several times she gave her heart
to males she met. I think the tally’s 5.
Obsessed/infatuated at the start,
attentive and intent for love to thrive,
she compromised and modified and more,
but never bent the ego at her core.