The first time I ever set my eyes on you,
My heart didn’t spark the way that a match would.
But rather the way a fire would slowly eat at a sheet of paper
That is slowly hovering over a lighter.
You know, I find it far more than coincidence,
That on two different occasions we had to pray for each other.
Both times the youth pastor arranged for everyone to get into pairs
And to pray for one another.
But since we were the only ones left without a partner,
We would have no other choice but to pair up.
And those were the two moments
Where I felt the safest I had ever felt in my life.
The way you gallantly took control of the situation,
With a dazzling display of command, was otherworldly.
You softly placed your right hand on my left shoulder,
And your left on my right upper arm.
And I took one final glimpse into the blue waves of your eyes,
Until we both bowed our heads in reverence.
And there we were, never having exchanged a word in our lives,
And you began to pray for me.
I basked in the eloquence of your voice,
All the while envisioning your long luscious blonde hair.
I completely forgot what I had said… or done afterward.
Because I was too mesmerized by your firm stability.
I’d nicknamed you the “surfer dude” in my mind.
Because I never had the guts to ask you your name.
And mainly in part of your golden wavy mane.
And the image of you followed me through my sleepless nights.
I still remember the church’s Christmas party.
Our group was having an ugly sweater contest,
And of course, you’d won first place, wearing a long-sleeved shirt
That was a mock sweater with a false 6-pack bulging in the middle.
I mean technically it wasn’t even a sweater,
But that’s beside the point.
There was something surreal about you,
Something I’ve never seen in anyone else.
But all this quickly ended one day however,
When I stepped into the chapel,
And was swiftly taken aback, seeing that
You had chopped of your lion’s hair.
You resorted to a slicked-back haircut,
Looking like a pencil eraser.
Standing with your flawless posture,
Vertical like a lamppost.
And I thought, maybe this would be the end.
But, man, was I wrong.
I was so wrong.
One day our youth group went to a park near the beach.
And I, being the reticent type, decided to walk away from the crowd.
As I leisurely made my way to the playground,
And as I slowly swung on the swing set, I observed the little ones.
On slides, on see-saws, and reflecting on that pure, naïve, innocence.
Until something magical happened:
I saw you shirtless.
You zipped past my downcast eyeline in the distance,
With a buff, robust, chest hooking my attention immediately.
And so there you had been, playing football with the pastor’s son,
Going back and forth from my eyesight,
Like a view taken from a car window on a highway,
In which cars just pass you by.
And in that moment, I had to accept the sad truth,
That we would never be anything more than perfect strangers.
As I’d play out my life the way I always have:
Acting like nothing this world could ever throw at me,
Will ever faze me.
-
Author:
Rocky Lagou (
Offline) - Published: May 25th, 2022 10:07
- Comment from author about the poem: Okay, so I was so inspired after reading my dear, poetic friend's poem (Agatha Rozz's) yesterday about her first love, that I felt stimulated to post about my current one. I'm not too good with "love poems," so here's my best attempt.
- Category: Love
- Views: 55
- Users favorite of this poem: M. Evermore, Novissma Rose
Offline)
Comments9
What struck me most about this is surprise that you have anything to do with pastors and churches in view of your previous remarks. Their dual standards will not have a positive effect on your self seteem.
Oh trust me, I don't want to have anything to do with them, but I have to go mandatorily because I'm still a minor. Yep, it's a hard knock life. Thx for stopping by though, have a good day!
You know my comment from a few days ago - church's responses to this can range from 'hellfire and damnation' to 'come on in, all are welcome'. I tend towards the latter view, you may be glad to know.
And - your notice - I've encountered many defeats ya know - in me singing lessons. It's a farce. I plod on, just about to have lesson 5,643. I can't see the tutor's earplugs. He says 'You're doing fine', while laughing up his sleeve, as I pay him the lesson fee each time. Doh!
Hehe, oh Orchi. You're so funny, thanks so much for stopping by. I'm glad to see you're more open-minded than other prejudice religious people and it's nice to see your witty personality shine on my comment section. Really glad you liked my ode to a crush I know I have no chance with. Much love, have a wonderful day!
A passion for the words around here, I see. Thank you for sharing. I liked the concept of a lighter, or a match as a form of romance. I've always enjoyed a cigarette with a romantic partner.
Thank you so much fellow poet, I, too, was pretty proud of myself with that analogy. It's true though, sometimes our passion can be like a bright spark of fire, while other times it could be a slower and more gradual burn. Nonetheless, really glad you liked it. Have an amazing day!
Dear Rocky, I just had to read this aloud in a rush of words, because that's the way it seemed to me, a flood of emotion at the moment of encounter, pouring out in every little detail. And then that moment of acceptance for something, someone unattainable. The bittersweet side of love, I felt it all. A wonderful write my friend.
Thanks abundantly dear Bella, your passion for words really shines. I'm truly flattered to hear these heartfelt remarks and I take it into complete consideration. Love is so many things, complicating, painstaking, but nonetheless "bittersweet," like you put it. I'm glad to see you felt my emotions. Have a wonderful day!
Very nicely penned and your sincere words shine through.
You're so kind Rozina, thanks a bunch, I'm glad to see you enjoyed. Have a wonderful day!
What a melancholy feel you've created. Just to prepare you. Life never changes only our capacity to endure disappointment haha. You'll find your one Rocky. I'm sure
Wow, that is so true. Thank you so much for your sage advice, I should truly learn to be more realistic with life and not dwell too much in "la-la land." Thanks so much for the generosity, I hope I'll find my "one and only" soon enough. Have a beautiful day!
Comparing slicked back hair to a pencil eraser is so evocative and accurate. Love this whole poem and definitely takes me back to church camp and first loves!
Hehe, well I'm glad that that metaphor was a takeaway for you. I'm truly glad to see you came to this poem and left such a kindhearted comment. I try my best to evoke images onto the reader and to challenge them to think, so it really means a lot. Church and first loves are really befuddling but nonetheless a journey. Thanks so much and have a wonderful day!
I can so relate to this one to,I came out 20years ago at a much older age than you,and still get the feelings you have shared here,I am so happy for your self acceptance and that you are sharing,it is brave,enjoy Pride month.and definitely poet on.
Hello dear poet, thank you so much for such a kind comment. I'm truly glad to see you could connect on a personal level with this poem and it's honestly still something I'm managing in my hectic life. Talking with a crush can be so overwheliming. Anyways, it's really nice to hear from you. Happy Pride Month!
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