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Here's the deal, folks... This is, as indicated, the 2nd HALF of this fairly lengthy poem. Due to Poetry Soup's file-size limitations, this piece had to be posted in 2 parts. The 1st HALF can be accessed, of course, by going to - "Poems by Mark Stellinga" - on the Soup. Sorry for the inconvenience... NOTE: I'll also be posting this piece as a 2-PART AUDIO - it's one of my many longer pieces, and it's a GREAT story... “She talks about how hard she cried the day her folks found out and made her swear to not tell you a thing about her being pregnant…and she swears she ‘almost died’ the day they made her mail you back your ring! “And - how she almost called you several times to let you know the truth concerning why she couldn’t stay… but - knowing you had married - she could never follow through…nor find the words she knew she’d need to say. “Like…‘This is Cindy…Cindy Lee…we dated years ago…and this, I know, will be a big surprise! You’re my daughter’s father…and I simply can’t go on letting her believe my shameful lies!’ “That’s the sort of tactic she’d consider now and then…hoping you’d be glad and - understand.” Then she took the envelope, laid it on the table, and slowly pushed it toward me with her hand. “If we talk this out”, she added…“turn on all the lights…which, of course, is what I’ve come to do… I’m convinced that both of us will be much better off to fin’ly learn what…neither of us knew! “As I mentioned…these are pictures taken long ago…back in ‘61 and ‘62. Every time I study them it really chokes me up. I’m pretty sure they’ll do the same to you.” I reached inside the envelope…pulled the photos out, telling her, “You know…if they had stayed… I’d have gladly married her…with or without child…but that was not the choice her parents made. “Oh, I can understand, alright, them trying to keep the fact that she had gotten pregnant from their friends… but sometimes - in a case like that - factors get ignored on which the proper remedy depends. “Took me quite a while to even look at other girls…losing Cindy tore my world apart. But four years later, I met Dawn…and she - along with time - fin’ly brought me ‘round and healed my heart.” “She also wrote that when she’d bring up ‘children’ - you’d get ornery…and tell her, ‘sure…but not for several years!’ That - and what her parents did to save their family shame - cost both me an’ Mom a lotta tears! “Knowing how opposed you were - back then - to having kids…and knowing well the way her parents felt… once her dreams of ‘you and her’ had faded from her heart, she fought to play the hand that she’d been dealt. “Having found these photographs…and having read her diary…I can see why she was so obsessed with finding someone just like you, but never found a guy who even stood a chance to pass her test.” I’d been slowly going through the pictures as we talked, and - just as she’d predicted, tearing up. Trying to hide my soggy eyes, I turned to grab the coffee, asking her politely...“Wanna cup?” “Sure,” she said, “but tell me…after looking at these pictures…do you have the slightest doubt at all that she --- indeed’s --- the girl who was - ‘your first’ - in ‘62?” I glanced at her…we both began to ball! “It’s her alright,” I whimpered, as I reached to take her hand, “and all of these are dupes for what I see every time I hear a song from back when they were taken. Especially this one here, of her and me “Twistin’ at the sock-hop! Can’t believe how thin I was. And this one, I believe’s, the junior prom! “Every guy I knew said she was…‘way too good for me’…and more than one was hoping that your mom “and I would call it quits. And each and every summer, two or three would try their very best to break up our relationship…but every time they did, she somehow found me better than the rest! “I think about her all the time. She meant the world to me, and I can tell…she meant the world to you… and now that she is gone…and we have learned about our pasts…I’m hoping we’ll agree on what to do. “Hopefully you’ll let me be a part of what comes next, I’d like you in my life in every way. Anything at all that I can do for you, I will. I swear…I’ve never known a sweeter day! “When her parents broke us up, it shattered all our dreams, and if your mother’s folks are still around, I’d love to see their faces when you tell them - if you do - the man who - would have raised you - has been found! “What they did was meant, of course, to save her from despair…and I am not concerned with who’s to blame. All I really care about is - fixing things with you. I realize the reason that you came “is - I’m sure - to fill a void you’ve struggled with for years…to learn the truth about your dad at last. And this, as well, will fill a void that I have struggled with for just as long…and clarify my past! “Just as me and Cindy felt the day we fell in love, a person’s search for true contentment ends the day they learn what ‘soul-mate’ means…and meet their perfect match…and know the joy of living as…‘best friends’. “So, Miss Lee…you haven’t told me what your first name is?” I queried her, while filling up her cup. “My name’s Mindy…Mindy Joe”…she answered through her tears…“I really hope you’re glad I woke you up!” “I’m thrilled to death you woke me, my dear! Just think…at last I know exactly what your mother’s reason wasfor keeping “US” a secret! And as for me…I’ve gone from being - a man that has no child - to one who does!” PS: I've now got 4 new Audio-CDs - @ 4 1/2 hours each = (62 diversely varied pieces). They’re listed on EBAY - under - “Mark Stellinga Poetry” - or available by simply contacting me at -- mark@writerofbooks.com -- should those of you who enjoy listening to poems as well as reading them - and particularly those of you that travel - care to be so entertained. (We use safe and simple - PayPal) Cheers, Mark
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