“Fifteen” by William Stafford (1) South of the bridge on Seventeenth

I found back of the willows one summer

day a motorcycle with engine running

as it lay on its side, ticking over

slowly in the high grass. I was fifteen.

(6) I admired all that pulsing gleam, the

shiny flanks, the demure headlights

fringed where it lay; I led it gently

to the road, and stood with that

companion, ready and friendly. I was fifteen.

(11) We could find the end of a road, meet

the sky on out Seventeenth. I thought about

hills, and patting the handle got back a

confident opinion. On the bridge we indulged

a forward feeling, a tremble. I was fifteen.

(16) Thinking, back farther in the grass I found

the owner, just coming to, where he had flipped

over the rail. He had blood on his hand, was pale—

I helped him walk to his machine. He ran his hand

over it, called me good man, roared away.

(21) I stood there, fifteen.

8.
The central theme explored in this poem is —

a. jealousy is a strong emotion of youth

b. temptation is all that matters.

c. integrity is a defining characteristic.

d. there are consequences for stealing motorcycles.