I stared at you for weeks,
trying to place that glossy,
peculiar look
your eyes brim with

The knowledge of chemistry
offered to me on a spoon
was not nearly as appetizing
as watching you learn

It was not obvious;
you don’t wear your emotions
like you wear striped scarves
and fingerless neon gloves

I had to ask the teacher for help
after the bell had rung
He worked through the problem
and we came through with a solution

We determined that you,
boy who sits in the back row,
are absolutely radioactive
with wonder

I want to be next to you
and hear you describe that wonder
with your soft voice
that causes chemical reactions