Like Before

Sometimes the past has to be embraced to move on.

I was dozing

When you called

Dreams fluttering here and there

So I thought it untrue

Thought I was dreaming

When I heard your voice

On the other line

Like before

 

You called me

Not the other way around

Calling just to talk

Away the night

Laugh away our fears

And wipe away our tears

Like before

 

Though I don’t say it

I smile the entire time

My heart racing

My hands shaking

As I listen to

That voice I love

Tell me of everything

I have missed

Like before

 

You laugh

I laugh

No tension in our voices

As we both cherish

These few minutes

And I pretend

Things are perfect

Like before

 

Forty minutes of happiness

Before you begin to doze

And I let you go

To slip into the land of dreams

Hopefully having just one

Dream of me

Like before

 

I wish you goodnight

Then end the call

Laying down

With a smile on my face

My mind at ease

With thoughts of you

Like before

 

A flash of light

Brings me awake

To one last message from you

And before I read it

I wish on the stars

Please let this be

Like before

 

My wish comes true

As I read your words

Hushed confessions

Of hidden, continual love

Of missing me

That I mean something to you

Like before

 

I fight back tears

Happiness flooding me

Elated to know

That I’m not the only one

Who still remembers

And misses

What things were

Like before

 

I reply with simple words

You’ve heard so many times

“I miss you.”

“I miss your voice.”

Asking you to call again

But only if you want

So we can smile and laugh

Like before

 

That one call

Made all the difference

Took away the pain

And bitterness

Left me smiling

Happy for you and her

Glad to know you have someone

Who makes you happy
Like before

 

So, this is me

Fully accepting the fact

That you’re happy

Because so am I

After all

I only want the best for you

Just like before

 

But no matter what

I will always care

I will always be here

I will always miss you

I will always love you

Just like before

Reviews

[Greg Close]

I was just reviewing another poem and remarking how repetition in a poem can totally destroy it if not done well. No problem here. The "just like before" is a nice touchstone from stanza to stanza, and though the phrase remains consistent I think it's interesting that the emotions behind it are transforming throughout the poem. It goes from relief to longing to lingering to acceptance - really cool device. I could feel throughout the whole read that it wouldn't be a traditional "happy" ending, but who's "traditionally happy" anyway? Great stuff.

[Sunflower 20]

wow, that was awesome! about half way through i was hoping he would walk through the front door, just like before.
but then you realize that this is a poem about lost love and happiness.
but i think the ending really wrapped it up nicely with hope of a future.
great job! :)

[E.M.Oglesbee]

I love how this poem is very sweet and uplifting, even though i know nothing of the actual event that inspired this, i find myself smiling at the end of it :) which shows how easily anyone can connect with the emotion you convey to us through it. It was beautifully written and i love the small amount of repetition you have in it, just the right amount to add to the over all effect. This is one of my favorites of yours i have read, maybe my favorite, but its hard to say :)

[Julie Beth]

this poem was amazing i love how you repeated the words like before it was very sweet and you did an amazing job on it keep up the good work :)

[Sydney Evans]

This is beautiful

[J. C. Koch]

The piece had good emotional charge throughout. I liked the switch from past to present as you move from 2nd stanza to the rest. It often times doesn't work for people to switch voice in the middle of a poem, but I feel that in this case it was both appropriate and done well. Kudos for that. I also enjoyed the story it told. Very relatable. Good read!

[zirk]

Poem really struck a chord with me. Very heartfelt in its presentation. A very difficult thought to feel happiness for someone you love, being with someone else. Thanks.

[{A}shley {B}lack @-;-]

Loved this poem really honestly loved is the pure emotion the flow and the structure just kept me hooked from start until finish very well written another great piece well done keep them coming

[Margaret Marie Hubbard]

Sweet! It made me recall the nights my husband and I were dating and we would fall asleep together on the phone just talking about nothing. Love it!

[Cynthia]

I love this, the love and the emotion you put into this poem is really amazing! Sucha sweet poem! I Love the depth of this poem, I love how you end each staza as 'like before', love it!