In Public Places

I hear her name. 

It’s not uncommon. 

I react 

just the same.

I see the twist

of her caramel hair, 

the soft bend 

of her body, 

the curl 

of her love-letter lips 

in crowded rooms. 

Is it her? 

Not to be. 

I react 

just the same. 

I catch her scent, 

glimpse her nose, her eyes, 

in public places.  

I hear the flowing reeds 

of her voice 

through pink noise, 

only not to be her. 

She is everywhere to me, 

in my mind. 

She is everything to me, 

and I am nothing 

without her.

Reviews

[R.E. Ray]

"She is everywhere to me, in my mind" says it all. This poem speaks to everyone who has experienced lost love; a rush of hope, your heart racing, brain sorting possibility from reality, and then the moment hope fades. And, yet, we still hope; it's what we do as humans. Nice work!

[D Alan Johnstone]

Thank you Robert!

[Kelly Scheppers]

"the curl
of her love-letter lips
in crowded rooms"

What a definitive reference! I loved your closing lines, which came back to you with such impact.

[Alexa Apothic Red]

I loved this! Especially the line "love-letter lips" ... wow, it makes one think of the kind of lips every girl would want to have.. the kind worthy of a love letter or a love writing.. keep it up!

[Alexa Apothic Red]

I loved this! Especially the line "love-letter lips" ... wow, it makes one think of the kind of lips every girl would want to have.. the kind worthy of a love letter or a love writing.. keep it up!

[D Alan Johnstone]

Thanks Alexa! Yes, that was the intent. Lips worthy of notes of praise from and admirer, and lips that could deliver a sensual message if they chose to do so.

[Alexa Apothic Red]

I agree completely! A worthy aspiration for both parties I would say...

[Dara]

Beautifully written! We take a risk when we give our love away not knowing for sure if it will last. Your poem perfectly describes those feelings we hold inside in the aftermath. Loved this write.

[ohsograceful]

She haunts even unfamiliar places. You really captured this feeling well, it's one that resonates with many people.

[D Alan Johnstone]

Thank you!

[Nicholas Shea]

That twinge of hope one feels when experiencing this is maddening. Great job capturing those feelings

[D Alan Johnstone]

Thank you, Nicholas.
For me, the best way to deal with uncontrollable emotion is to write it down. Catharsis.