David Crandall Poet Rhyme

Arleen, One Who Got Away

"To love at all is to be vulnerable" ~ C.S. Lewis

You may think that "The One that Got Away", 
is a yarn of coincidence and fate,
but that there are reasons for what happens - 
in the story that I relate. 

I count four girlfriends, along with two wives,
and that is just a start.
There are those I obsessed and longed for -
tales that would wrench your heart, 

but I'm going to take a step back
and take a closer look.
It's not bad luck I'm dealing with,
that has me hanging from this hook.

I've always chosen the best of friends,
but I didn't roll the dice.
Yet, the cause of my checkered love life
could be my honing device.

What do I think might be the problem?
It's "fear" I will assert.
By picking partners of unequal investment, 
I subconsciously avoid getting hurt.

If I'm in possession of the upper hand,
I'll be in the clear.
If it's the other way, I can see it coming, 
and I don't have to shed a tear.

There have been good opportunities -
good women, I've passed by. 
When lucky enough to encounter them,
I didn't even try. 

As my example for this exercise, 
Arleen is the one I'll choose.
I was her friend back in the dorms.
If I tried for her, it would hurt to lose.

She was a pre-law student, so intelligent,
pretty as can be. 
All the guys on our coed floor liked her,
but I think she liked me - 

in fact, a friend told me just that,
but I did not act.
Instead, I chased the silliest of women, 
That's the simple fact.
   
Arleen was kind and approachable,
with merits by the trayful, 
she was disciplined, yet adventuresome, 
and had a sense of humor, playful. 

I took her to a revival movie, 
Rebel without a Cause,
She wanted to go up to my room,
I declined!  I ask myself, "because...?"

Because I was a stupid idiot.  
You might have a better word.
Now, isn't that the saddest story
that you have ever heard?

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Andrea Dietrich February 7, 2026 at 8:49 PM Sorry. It's not the saddest story I ever heard haha. Wow, you were not at a university like BYU. They couldn't even wear jeans at that place when I was there, let alone have guys in same dorms. If this is all true, I enjoy how real you are, telling it like it was!! I am not completely sure but there might be a 30 line limit on this one. Check it out. David Crandall February 7, 2026 at 9:47 PM Haha, strangely enough it's pretty much true, as per my memory, which is not always known to be 100% reliable, not unlike my track record in reading contest instructions. Thanks for watching out for me. It's a 20 line limit! back to the drawing board, or maybe a better metaphor would be time to play 52 card pickup since my poem is 52 lines - lol!

Kim Rodrigues February 7, 2026 at 7:26 PM No way to know but the mind plays it out. Great write. Kept my attention! David Crandall February 7, 2026 at 9:44 PM Thanks, Kim!

Karen Jones February 7, 2026 at 3:09 PM Wow! Sounds like she was awesome! Don’t beat yourself up for if it was meant to be somehow it would have happened I think. Enjoyed your engaging poem! Good luck in the contest! David Crandall February 7, 2026 at 9:44 PM Thanks, Karen!