"she” poem number 8

arqios

 

SHE: Poem 8 – “she doubts if i waited” (circa ’85)

 

i sat by the mall’s neon fountain, Walkman humming The Smiths,

mixtape cued for her arrival—

and she doubts if i waited.

 

i circled the pizza stall,

pepperoni grease on my thumb,

clock hands creeping

over the arcade— and

she doubts if i waited.

 

the quarter in my pocket buzzed, primed for her Pac-Man high score, food-court lights flickering in my eyes— and she doubts if i waited.

 

my boombox heart skipped

every chorus screaming her name,

but her shadow slipped past me—

and she doubts if i waited.

 

 

 

 

.

 

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Comments +

Comments8

  • Doggerel Dave

    Drips with references I recognise and have various meanings for me. There is only one more thought to record - I hope you two got it together.

    • arqios

      Most definitely so, Martian doesn’t translate Venusian too well but we got it sorted out in the end 🕊️🙏🏻

    • Katie B.

      Amazing, vivid. Puts you right there. Your writing inspires me to be a better writer.

      • arqios

        Thanks Katie B., we all inspire each other🕊️🙏🏻

      • nephilim56 ( Norman Dickson)

        good write definitive like

        • arqios

          Thanks, Norman ; in many ways life was simpler back then🕊️🙏🏻

          • nephilim56 ( Norman Dickson)

            I know that feeling lol

          • sorenbarrett

            The reoccurrence of the phrase "and she doubts if I waited" has double meaning to me. There is the obvious that leads one to think there was a mis encounter but then there is the aspect of all that you were doing in the interim and you were not waiting but doing at that time. Sometimes our anticipation and preparation and looking impedes the waiting. A deep and most thoughtful write that is quite haunting Cryptic

            • arqios

              Some things are worked out in a tedious sort of way😂🙏🏻🕊️

            • Tristan Robert Lange

              Arqios, this reads like a snapshot from another time…Walkman humming, arcade lights glowing, a quarter ready for Pac-Man. All those details build the scene beautifully, but it’s the repeated line about whether you waited that gives the poem its ache. Nostalgic, tender, and quietly heartbreaking. Well done, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦‍⬛

              • arqios

                The awkwardness of young love, lol 😜🙏🏻🕊️

                • Tristan Robert Lange

                  Yes, indeed.

                • orchidee

                  Good write A.

                  • arqios

                    Thanks O🙏🏻🕊️

                  • Kevin Hulme

                    A relatable poem .

                    • arqios

                      Thanks Kevin🙏🏻🕊️

                    • Neville



                      I am mightily impressed my friend .. this page contains what is probably my favourite of your posted works to date .. Neville 😎⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐👍

                      • arqios

                        Oh, finally got one! That is such an honour, Nev. Thank you🙏🏻🕊️



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