I still remember you (Love poem #6)

just a low effort love poem

I still remember you
 although our time was brief.

That summer of twenty-twenty-two
 then you snuck away like a thief.

You could see
 only half of me,
the other half I kept concealed.

Broken parts,
 a string of hearts,
  and places that haven’t healed.

I’ve seen you unclothed
 I’ve seen you unloved
  I’ve seen you dancing in the street.

What if I could hold you now?
 What if, what if, somehow;
  What if we never meet?

 

I suppose you have forgotten me,
 that’s probably for the best.
Just a shadow of a memory
 lodged somewhere inside your chest.

Author's Note

wishing everyone a happy holidays. this is just one of my cheeky love poems. i thought something fairly light would be fitting for the season.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

The poet's wealth. Memories.
"Just a shadow of a memory
lodged somewhere inside your chest."
I did like the above lines. The poetry. Honest, direct and hard. My kind of poetry. Thank you Ernest for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[poetgurl]

WOW! this is wonderful, enjoyed

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

thanks Meg!

[emmajoygreen]

Is this cheeky? Don't think so, my friend. To me your fine words are struggling to show emotions that long to reveal themselves, known by their owner, the human being who perhaps... is wary or afraid of his own feelings. Perhaps.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

im not sure. i think i have so much i regret, this little episode i think of as just something fickle. it's a sweet memory, really. but of course, emotions are untamed and who knows what is happening inside me. i certainly dont. i just try to live and try to write.

[emmajoygreen]

Moments and the work they do are often less than seems.. ..

[Thomas W Case]

Beautiful work, my friend.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

thanks Thomas!

[Michael Sun Bear]

It may have been low effort; nonetheless your words spoke beautifully to me and aroused my own memories. Well done and thank you.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

thanks Michael Sun! (that's a japanese pun if you're familiar with the language...) written one day in a bored afternoon, just thinking about one of those small good moments.

[redd Brick Keshner]

This poem captures the delicate balance between lightheartedness and nostalgia, perfectly suited for the holiday season! It’s endearing to see how you’ve woven a playful tone into a reflective memory.
Given your note, the poem feels like a fond recollection of a fleeting summer romance, gently wrapped in the spirit of the holidays. The brief encounter from 2022, mentioned in the poem, seems like one of those sweet summer flings that we look back on with a smile, even if it ended too soon.
The imagery of revealing only half of oneself speaks to the tentative nature of early love, where we guard our hearts, yet cherish the moments of vulnerability we share. Your whimsical approach to describing seeing the person "unclothed, unloved, and dancing in the street" adds a touch of playfulness and warmth.
The "what if" questions beautifully capture the essence of wistful pondering, yet they’re balanced by the acceptance in its final lines. It feels like a tender goodbye wrapped in festive cheer, acknowledging that some memories are best left as sweet, untarnished moments.
Your closing lines, about being a shadow of a memory lodged in someone’s chest, bring a bittersweet smile. It’s a lovely way to remind us that even brief encounters can leave lasting impressions.
Thank you for sharing such a delightful piece. It’s a perfect fit for the holiday season—nostalgic yet light, with a hint of cheeky charm. I hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with joy and memorable moments.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

thanks Red. that was an amazing comment, and i am so glad this work gave you something to think about. this poem wasn't about one person or one fling, it was a collection of moments shared with people who came and went, which i now look fondly back on.
there's a theory in psychology that we don't really forget anything. you might not be able to visualise someone's face, but doesnt mean they are gone - it just remains as an emotional truth, like a seed or buried treasure.
and i thought it would be the right time to share this piece as everyone is feeling nostalgic. glad you liked it. let's have a good 2025

[redd Brick Keshner]

Agreed on all counts! A good year opening up for us all 🙏🏻👍🏻🕊

[Robert Trakofler]

low effort for whom for her or him or for you or for us love has never been low effort for me it always took so much for me to love and then I remember it is as essential as breathing and suddenly the effort becomes effortless

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

thanks for sharing your thoughts. i try to be spontanesous when dating, the same with writing this piece. i do not mean i dont care about the other person or the quality of my work, but sometimes just being in the moment can be blissful.

[Amy R]

Love makes us reminisce about shared moments while acknowledging the emotional scars and unresolved feelings that remain. It hurts when we remember but memories always do this, sigh!

I enjoyed reading your poem.
I hope you are alright. Wishing u a Happy New Year! hugs friend.
-Amy

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

thanks Amy! happy new year. i hope love finds me in 2025

[Amy R]

You're welcome, and u will 🤍🙏🏻

[LisaCarol]

Many of us tend to linger in the “What if’s” believing the other, simply moved on. This poem portrays this exceptionally. Excellent work as always.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

thank you Lisa. Happy new year, hope you had a good holidays

[Samuel Dickens]

I like it a lot. The words are clear and meaningful. "What if we never meet" got my attention, and I wondered if it was real. It seems it was, or maybe I just wish it was. Irregardless, there's authenticity in words that feel familiar. Many of us must wonder about old flames and visualize how relations with them might have gone on. Very nice work. One of my favorites from you.

[Vol]

Ern,
It is a funny thing about love poems... they rarely seem to have a happy ending. I wonder why that is. Maybe a happy love leaves nothing to writhe about.
Vol