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About This Poem

The First Kiss or That Darn Ann Landers

Son of a gun we were still young;
only 15 years gone by.
You were the first my kissing bubble to burst, 
and for you, I think so was I.
I wanted to start putting other parts 
of our bodies in the field of play;
But you stopped it instead as you paused and read 
what Ann Landers had written to say:

Keep your petting on the outside, keep your tongues inside your mouth,
Keep your hands north of the border, don’t let them travel south.
There’s no use in trying to rush things and ruin the rest of your life,
So just hold his hands and hug him until you’re man and wife.

You stuck to your creed in spite of my plea, 
and I didn’t want to press you;
So your hand I would hold and my tongue I would fold, 
even though I want to undress you.
Late at night my conscience I’d fight, 
still awake in my lonely bed;
Thinking of you and what I would do 
if these words weren’t still stuck in my head:

Keep your petting on the outside, keep your tongues inside your mouth,
Keep your hands north of the border, don’t let them travel south.
There’s no use in trying to rush things and ruin the rest of your life,
So just hold his hands and hug him until you’re man and wife.

I followed your rules, played it cool
for the first ten to twenty dates;
But by the end of the year to me it was clear 
we wouldn’t be tempting our fate.
So we parted our ways; ending our days 
to see other people instead;
As I set forth looking of course 
for a girl who hadn’t read:

Keep your petting on the outside, keep your tongues inside your mouth,
Keep your hands north of the border, don’t let them travel south.
There’s no use in trying to rush things and ruin the rest of your life,
So just hold his hands and hug him until you’re man and wife.

More than thirty years have disappeared; 
For me two wives and four kids.
And as for you, I hear it’s true, 
that getting married you never did.
I’ll never forget and never regret
That first kiss where we both did live;
And though I did slander poor ole Ms. Landers 
to my daughter this advice I now give.

Keep your petting on the outside, keep your tongues inside your mouth,
Keep your hands north of the border, don’t let them travel south.
There’s no use in trying to rush things and ruin the rest of your life,
So just hold his hands and hug him until you’re man and wife.

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  1. Date: 3/30/2013 4:23:00 PM

    Joe, this endures a good flowing rhyming poem. Many Blessings with your Featured Poem of the week. By the way no matter my blue color or tune I am always here, spreading the colorful cheer.....Happy Easter!" xox~ LINDA

  1. Date: 3/25/2013 12:38:00 PM

    Hi there, great poem! Made me smile today!

  1. Date: 3/25/2013 10:40:00 AM

    Congrats Joe on the featured write.

  1. Date: 3/24/2013 7:41:00 PM

    Oh Joe..congrats first on the featured spot..and it is different huh? Paws on your baby. So sweet....great job and I know as your daughter gets older she will come to love this..Donna

  1. Date: 3/15/2012 7:07:00 PM

    Awesome Joe! Made me laugh out loud. Witty and clever! This goes to my faves : )

  1. Date: 3/30/2011 12:59:00 AM

    Not only a wonderful poem, informative, but full of advice, enjoyed this awesome inspirational piece Joe, congrats. Harry

  1. Date: 3/29/2011 3:02:00 PM

    great story behind the the story.

  1. Date: 3/29/2011 11:10:00 AM

    Congratulations on your win Joe in Debbie Guzzi's contest "The Rhyme Inside". Love, Carol

  1. Date: 3/29/2011 9:53:00 AM

    You know, Joe, I think I actually remember reading the Ann Landers' column that offered this advice. Ladies always liked reading her and took her advice to heart. What a shame the girl for whom this was written never married. It seems she caused you a lot of frustration as a young man. Enjoyed the humor very much, Joe. Congratulations on our big win in Deb's contest. Love, Carolyn

  1. Date: 3/29/2011 8:26:00 AM

    This was such a fun poem to share! Brought a smile!! Congrats on your win!!

  1. Date: 3/29/2011 4:37:00 AM

    Congratulations on the second place win in the contest, Joe

  1. Date: 3/28/2011 9:20:00 PM

    Way to go with this very clever poem, Joe. I LOVE IT. I agree with dear Ann. hahaha

  1. Date: 3/28/2011 9:13:00 PM

    Joe - Many Congrats on big win with this superb creative write. Luv & Best wishes-Hitendra Mehta

  1. Date: 3/28/2011 8:50:00 PM

    A lovely tale of your first kiss. Warm congrats for this win.

  1. Date: 3/28/2011 7:36:00 PM

    Congrats Joe on your super second place win in Debbie's cool contest luv.. with this excellent entry and rhyme sequence.. great win..

  1. Date: 3/28/2011 6:33:00 PM

    Wow! So entertaining and clever. I enjoyed this very much. Congratsulations on your BIG WIN. Elaine

  1. Date: 3/28/2011 5:35:00 PM

    Congrad's on winning! May you write us many more love stories! Light & Love

  1. Date: 3/16/2011 11:18:00 AM

    What a wonderful write, great use of internal and subtle end rhyme and great meter and very memorable! Thanks for showing all how to do it Joe! Light & Love

  1. Date: 6/17/2010 6:20:00 PM

    Excellent Joe and a great example poem for your contest.. mine is sorta similar in background.. maybe not as humorous ..this is a super duper write.. enjoyed.. with luv from the "Sweetheart"..

  1. Date: 6/17/2010 4:18:00 PM

    Goes to my faves too, Joe. In fact, if you don't mind, I'd like to share it with a couple friends who are raising teenage girls.

  1. Date: 6/17/2010 4:17:00 PM

    Ah, you had me laughing, Joe. At first Ann Landers' comments stifled your attempts of passion. But later in life you used Ann's advice for your own daughter. Guess you came full circle on this and I love the repeating refrain. Very well written with meaning and humor! Enjoyed. Love, Carolyn

  1. Date: 6/16/2010 8:26:00 PM

    this is just GREAT!!! No wonder you wanted us to read it. VERY clever, that is the word for it, just so clever!! but I have to tell you, I did not find it on page 3. I finally retyped that title again (must have made a typo first time I tried). this time I went right to it!! but I can't know what page it is on becuase I got to it by clicking. anyway, the refrain is a delight too, and the ending is hilarious. Luv, andrea. Ps was there really an ann landers article with similar words? a FAV

  1. Date: 6/16/2010 6:26:00 PM

    Thank you for pointing me into the direction (via your blog) to this sensational first-hand account of your story.....sage and wise advice!!!! Loved it!!

  1. Date: 4/25/2010 8:22:00 AM

    Good advice and an enjoyable read. Well done! Carolyn Henderson

  1. Date: 4/25/2010 7:38:00 AM

    Great write that you have posted here today...Thoroughly enjoyed and good advice here also...Back in my day it was just not discussed which is not good...Sara