1981

The bittersweet taste of all that never was

I remember you with eyes of green

A summer smile, a hope unseen

Three whispered words, a secret shared

A halo dancing around your hair

 

You brought to me a rush of cheek

The color rising pink and sweet

My days filled up with thoughts of you

A love so pure, a heart so true

 

This world so new, a time between

I shaped your path to fit my feet

All my steps led to your door

I breathed your air and walked your floor

 

Then shadows stretched and autumn blew

I had my long last look at you

A sunshine prince who dared forsake

The love he never cared to take

-Zoe Richardson 

Author's Note

Memory...all alone in the moonlight...I can smile at the old days...

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Us, who love to write. We keep the special people alive forever in our words.
"You brought to me a rush of cheek
The color rising pink and sweet
My days filled up with thoughts of you
A love so pure, a heart so true"
I loved the above lines. You took me to days of innocence and hope. Thank you dear poet for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Zoe Richardson]

It's nice to still be able to convey innocence and hope at this stage in my life. It's even nicer that you appreciate these words and the spirit of the poem. Thank you for your kindness and your praise!

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed the poetry and you are welcome Zoe.

[M. J. Smith]

Many impressions here. But what rises to the top is a page of my past. A young lady enchanted me. We rode together for a while. But she went back home to go to school. I never saw her again. I couldn't even watch as she pedaled off down the street.
"Parting is such sweet sorrow."

[Zoe Richardson]

Those long ago wistful 'what ifs' haunt us, don't they? I am glad you enjoyed the poem, the bitter and the sweet. That was exactly what I was aiming for!

[lightsong]

Why men do this most of the time? simple, because they WAKE LATE lol. this is so sweet, lovely, has the touch of pureness and first heartbeat, first blush, first romance... I can see why You can smile now at this, if I look back to mine days I will do too :> thank You for sharing your sweet memory.

[Zoe Richardson]

Your most welcome! Yes, men do arrive late to the party most of the time, which creates hilarious and heartbreaking missteps. Fortunately, we learn, move forward, and laugh when we look back. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I hope this brought you smiles as well!

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

This is poetry. Inviting imagery. Beautiful sentiments. Living emotions and a well-told story. What more can a reader ask for other than more? Wonderfully explained and expressed, Zoe. tyfs

[Zoe Richardson]

You are so very welcome! I hope this touches something universal in all of us. The sweetness of first love tinged with the bitter of being unrequited. It was a time of innocence, my friend. I'm glad you enjoyed your visit!

[John the Baptist]

Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: It might have been.

[Zoe Richardson]

I thought the saddest were "batteries not included." But yes. Whittier's are a close second. I prefer to take Tiffany's view point. "What could have been is better than what could never be at all." Thank you for your visit, and for sharing a favorite quote!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Wow. From a poet and storyteller and all around "word nerd", you definitely know how to shine. Good to see you, Zoe!

That quote is pretty sensational, too!

[Zoe Richardson]

Thank you, Kelly! My laptop had a cracked screen and it took almost a month to complete repairs. I am so glad you liked this. I am never sure if what I post will hit or miss. The quote is just a few words gathered in a panic when I needed to describe the poem. Maybe I should panic more often...

[Kelly Scheppers]

I think you should write them all down and keep them with your poetry. I have over a hundred quotes I've written through the years and have saved them all. Think about it. It's a beautiful line!

[Zoe Richardson]

I will do that! I often jot down thoughts when they pop into my head. Usually, they end up in a poem. I should start saving them for quotes!

[Gee]

Hmmmm, 1981, I was a 19 year old lager fiend who played frivolously with the emotions of any poor woman that thought I could be harnessed, seeking only to bed and dump....I was a grade A prick :(
Great rhyming and content Zoe

[Zoe Richardson]

I was a desperately naive 15 year old and budding manic-depressive. You weren't in a rock and roll band, were you? Because you sound a lot like my late husband. Ah! the foibles of youth. At least you grew out of yours. Thank you for your kind thoughts. It is always a treat to see you here!

[Gee]

Tis always good to read you, although I'm shite at reviewing :)
Rock band, I wish. Back in the day I could charm the pants of a nun, although I never tried this :))
Have a great day.

[Zoe Richardson]

I actually thought about being a nun. Not being Catholic sort of nipped that in the bud. I was really good at shutting down charming Lotharios intent on removing my pants, though. I think your reviews are anything but shite. They come from the heart, and that is what matters.

[Gee]

" charming lotharios intent on removing my pants"
Man this has me smiling. Glad I never crossed your path as nothing worse than an ego scuttling off with tail between legs, mind you, " if at first you don't succeed"
Hope you are well today m'dear :))

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This poem is such a sweet blend of romance and nostalgia. It has an excellent rhyme scheme and delicately unfolds its mysteries in logical progression; finishing sad and sweet in the mind. I very much enjoyed. F.

[Zoe Richardson]

And I'm so glad you did! It is meant to convey the bittersweetness of an unrequited first love. It's nice to know I hit the mark from time to time.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

makes me recollect an old love or two...
"I shaped your path to fit my feet" is a classic...I wish I had written that line.
Oh I do.
I am sure that sunshine prince had some cloudy days because of it...

[Zoe Richardson]

One would like to think so. But that boy was locked up tighter than Fort Knox. Oh well. Things stay with you for a reason, and in my case that reason is poetry. Do not fret, my friend. You write plenty of lines I would love to claim as my own, and I thank you for writing some here!