If Things Don't Change

If things don't change,

they remain the same.

Thousands wouldn't believe it,

but I would.

      Yes I would.

A history class may be no place for love,

                            but that is where I met her.

Like a yesterday song the memory

                             films into my awareness.

Sitting at her desk with

                       penciled in smiles,

lipstick aptly mis-applied.

If things are what they seem to be,

             it seems she was thinking

                      of lemonade and garlic.

Might be a toxic mix to some.

Might kill sinned ambition.

          Even so, she was what she was

                             and she often

                                  would share this.

Her lips danced words like

             leprosy on fire, her shaking

                             fingers her emblem.

I danced with her at the

                        Friday night dance

                             the same week I had

                                                 met her.

We joined as two and pretended to be one.

We laughed that polite noise

                             like it was the Bible

                                    of our beings.

Through the year that followed that

I'd often fake a conversation with her.

                          And when the dollar bills

                                   became too little

                                        I knew it was time

                                              to wave "so long".

So waving "so long" I fled as slow

                             as man is able.

If things don't change,

they remain the same.

Thousands wouldn't believe it,

but I would.

      Yes I would.

Reviews

[freelancejouster]

i really like the phrase "like it was the Bible of our beings", such a wonderful concept and a lovely story

[Richard Williams]

The images of smiles and lips stay with me, and "leprosy on fire" almost made me drop my coffee.

[Groovy]

This put a smile on my face without my even realizing it. That's how I know this poem was good to me : )

[NightShade]

Phenomenal work!

[Fy Cecilia]

This was good. I swayed to the right, then left, jerked up, and then fell flat! I don't know why I expect happy endings only not to find them...
Btw, nice catchy phrases!

[imagination101]

Soild writing!

[storiestotell]

Great poem, heartfelt!

[Tom Benson]

Once again a clear statement being made through your words but I especially liked, '... I fled as slow as man is able ...' The true emotion is just under the surface here. Great work.

[DONALD EISSLER]

as slow as one is able wish i had thought of that one Yes I WISH I WOULD of

TK

[Audrey Howitt]

Her lips danced like leprosy on fire--great write Chris!