Not long enough

As I was going into the library,

I saw a girl in a black T-shirt.

I didn’t read what was

printed on it.

It was a little long –

for a T-shirt.

Her jean shorts were cut off

near the knees –

also a little long for shorts–

but her royal purple leggings

extended to her ankles –

need I point out that they

were longer than her shorts?

Her blond hair was braided

into two tied pig-tails –

not too long.

Actually, quite short.

And strung over her shoulder

and hanging long down onto one hip

rested what appeared to be

a cloth turtle passing for a purse

with a long tail –

for a turtle.

The girl was laughing with her friends.

When I came out of the library,

she was gone.

I think I should have perhaps stopped

to tie my long shoe laces before

I went into the library.

I then might have not have tripped over

my short span of attention.

I could have just sat on a bench

near the library door,

five minutes would not have been

too long to see what I might have seen.