I was a college student at a girl's school. He was in a military school across town. We were together as much as possible for two years, walking on the beautiful campus, sitting under the giant oaks, and enjoying being with each other. That was love back then. But it was not to continue. I was going away to the university and he would be attending another military school as he planned to make the Army his career. I knew I didn't want to be a military wife.
In Love Too Soon
Your aftershave still lingers on my skin,
the smell of bruised spring grass. Raindrops,
This poem is about our last date.
In Love Too Soon
Your aftershave still lingers on my skin,
the smell of bruised spring grass. Raindrops,
like falling tears, track the glass that separates us.
I see you by the streetlight
as you walk away, your boots
careless of the puddles.
You stop, turn, look up. I glimpse
the anguish, the disbelief I etched
on your dear face.
You can only see a black hole
I see you by the streetlight
as you walk away, your boots
careless of the puddles.
You stop, turn, look up. I glimpse
the anguish, the disbelief I etched
on your dear face.
You can only see a black hole
in a red brick building filled
with other students like me.
I covet your embrace, your kiss,
but fear I’d not be strong enough
to send you away this time.
Our hearts meshed much too soon.
Love crept in while I was unprepared,
still trying to find the woman in the girl.
You grow smaller in the murky light.
Past the movie house where holding
hands on Saturday afternoons, we barely
I covet your embrace, your kiss,
but fear I’d not be strong enough
to send you away this time.
Our hearts meshed much too soon.
Love crept in while I was unprepared,
still trying to find the woman in the girl.
You grow smaller in the murky light.
Past the movie house where holding
hands on Saturday afternoons, we barely
watched the screen.
Past Ray's diner where we first met,
where you gave me your captain's pin,
Past Ray's diner where we first met,
where you gave me your captain's pin,
marked me yours for all the world to see.
I cannot turn my eyes away until, like
an apparition, you’re gone, vanished
into darkness and forever.
I cannot turn my eyes away until, like
an apparition, you’re gone, vanished
into darkness and forever.
--- Glenda Council Beall
This is beautiful - and definitely bitter sweet.
ReplyDeleteMy first love was a long distance relationship. I can remember brushing my hair before I answered those much anticipated phone calls...
EC thanks for your comment. I can imagine how you felt as you waited and made yourself look pretty even though he couldn't see you.
ReplyDelete