What Never Started

A Song For Lost Loves

I watched you from the corner

Washing up that old red car

Hoping one day you’d look up

And see me wishing on those shining stars

 

I never meant to cause you trouble

I only tried to show the way

To a world of more than holding on

To dreams that never seem to come your way

 

We could have run through fields of cotton

We could have danced inside the rain

I would have given all my songs and strings

To pull you here beyond your pain

 

All I wanted was to love you

A moment standing free in time

But my innocence could never capture

All your fire inside my rhymes

 

So you passed me by in silence

Never knew or never cared

A blue eyed girl was praying

You would turn and see me standing there

 

Now you’re out in California
With a girl who isn’t me

And I know now there are none so blind

As those who just refuse to see

 

We could have gone to Minnesota

We could have lived in Tennessee

Somewhere there was a bridge

 A middle ground to carry you to me

 

We could have started off as lovers

We could have ended up best friends

Somewhere deep inside I know

What never started haunts you more

Than everything that ends

-Zoe Richardson (2021)

Author's Note

Believe it or not...this isn't a sad song. Do you remember the one that got away?

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I don't think I've seen anything this deeply heartfelt from you! Wow! I love it! Normally I'm not a fan of heartbreak poems, but yours is thoughtfully original & yet it also conveys the strong feelings that are universal when looking back at something that didn't work out. Your storytelling & descriptive feelings ring with clarity (((HUGS)))

[Zoe Richardson]

Thank you so much! Since you do such original work, that is really a compliment. It's really not about heartbreak, though. It's about what stays with you, the love AND the loss. We don't always get what we want. But we do learn lessons.

[shadrach hah]

Hi Zoe, once more you let the emotions flow strongly in this flowing write. I can easily feel the loss and the longing within these wonderful lines. Your poetry sings into the heart, you have painted such a powerful canvas within the mind. Realistic, honest poetry that does sing. Have a wonderful Friday. Hugs always....Mike.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Next to the last line, "What never start haunts you more"...I think you mean "started" there...just a minor typo. To quote Stephen King, "To write is human, to edit, divine." This was so beautiful and romantic. It's reminiscent of the feeling I got from reading Robert James Waller's, Bridges of Madison County. What might have been and what may never be. So wistful and filled with longing. I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Zoe Richardson]

Well, my face is red now. I am always so careful about typos. I have corrected the problem, and thank you for bringing it to my attention. I wrote this in a few minutes, just a simple, straightforward expression of longing. I didn't consider it especially profound. It is so uplifting that people genuinely enjoy it. I go around the house singing this all the time, but I will spare everyone the posting of that!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Aww, don't be embarrassed over minor mistakes. I make a hundred a day. And I edit, edit, edit. I proofread and edit again. I'm the first to admit my mistakes and I listen carefully to the opinions of others so I can learn. I have beliefs and morals which I govern my life by but I seldom delve into those personal aspects since those with differing views may be contentious. I was told once I should have been a preacher. That made me laugh. I just said, NO. My congregation would all leave after the first sermon. :)

[Zoe Richardson]

I proofread and edit, but sometimes you can read something several times and miss the simplest typo. That's why a second set of eyes is so important. I admit my mistakes, and listen to others who are wiser. But I do not shy away from confrontation. My fatal flaw is honesty. And a total lack of diplomacy. My two main flaws are...sorry! I was having a Monty Python moment. I say what I mean, and I mean what I say and I don't always remember feelings when facts are in play. I've always rather enjoyed a spirited debate. Unfortunately, the ability to discuss contentious topics with civility and respect is a lost art in today's society. Don't feel bad. Noone would come to my church either.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

My, but we sound so muck alike and akin. I feel a kindred spirit. My brother-in-law who just happens to BE a Baptist minister asked my oldest daughter once if she thought I was an honest man. Not missing a beat my daughter replied, "Dad? Oh, yeah, he's brutally honest." The good Reverend said, "Oh, I'm not sure I like that "brutally" part." I was just listening to all this so I chimed in, Well, you'd be surprised at how many folks are offended by the "honest" part. He chuckled at that. He's really a good man and a great preacher though. I love him to bits.

[Zoe Richardson]

I talk about this with my mother all the time. As a good Southern girl, I was taught in Sunday School to always tell the truth. So It confused me to no end why, when people asked for my opinion, they got so upset when I told them what I thought. I do not understand the game of politely telling someone what they wish to hear. That gene is missing from my family pool. No, I just say, "Do you want the truth, or do you want me to say something nice?" It saves a lot of relationships.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Yes, I always say, be honest because the truth never changes. You can tell when someone is a compulsive liar because they are always inconsistent.

[John the Baptist]

Almost began this review with "the one that got away," but feared it might seem insensitive somehow. Let me just say that unrequited love can be just as painful.

[Zoe Richardson]

Not insensitive at all. It's the essence of the poem. The love stays with you, along with the 'what ifs.' The sadness fades, though.

[Gee]

Beautiful.
Brings to mind unrequited love and all of the heartache that must cause:)

[Zoe Richardson]

The sweet and the sour, distilled by distance and time. I'm glad you enjoyed my work!

[Unspoken poet]

yes i do, I was the one who let him go, wish i wouldn't have. I can feel the emotions through out your write. This is wonderfully penned

[Zoe Richardson]

Thank you! Sometimes you just have to open your mouth and sing, hoping somewhere they catch the essence of the song. Don't give up!

[Chris]

"...with the softest midnight wishes..."

Unnoticed is a way of life - ya know?

[Zoe Richardson]

Somehow, the ones you love the most linger. Even if they don't love you back. Sometimes because they don't love you back. I'm glad this poem touched you.

[Chris]

We live as best and only we can.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, and not a sad song for me either...coincidentally, she is in California also.

no real goodbye, just a see you sometime soon, I hope.

I really like the fire inside the rhymes...that is such a cool concept....that and giving the songs and strings to pull you beyond your pain.
Oh but that is surely the giving of real love.
j.

[Zoe Richardson]

In loving him, I learned that real is wanting the best for someone even if that means they aren't with you. For that, he holds a special place in my memory. So glad you enjoyed this one!

[Betty Hermelee]

Some things are just not meant to be….it doesn’t mean that it’s sad, it’s just life….time moves, people move, emotions move and life goes on…people find their own path eventually. Nice work.
Best
Betty

[Zoe Richardson]

When you are young, you think it's the end of the world. Later in life, you appreciate the lessons you learned. Thank you for your kind words, and for your time!

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome!