Dear Ellen

If I was a boy, not yet a young man 
I’d push some paper into your han’. 
Lined and folded it would be, 
moving words for you to see. 

With thumb and fingers you’d hold it tight, 
then angle and raise it to the light. 
Clouded words, with love as one 
All pushed out by a shining sun.

Was it ever meant to be? 
Still they wander within me. 
That note, those words, they wander in me. 
Still they wander, still in me. 

Then I was older, yesterday’s young man 
and distanced from your remembered han’
Should wooden doors with bronze mail slots
Have been the place to place my thoughts?

Those unwritten words lived in my head, 
Never sent and never said. 
Politely they sat for so many a day, 
nothing to alter their quiet stay

Was it ever meant to be? 
Still they wander within me. 
That note, those words, they wander in me 
Still they wander, still in me 

Now older still, tomorrow’s dead man 
Rather than paper I’ll move my han’ 
To you it goes, open and worn 
May yours mend my heart that’s torn 

Was it ever meant to be? 
Still they wander within me. 
That note, those words, they wander in me 
Still they wander, still in me.  
 
I'll never know if it was meant to be
She left this life ahead of me
I still hold tight that imagined note
The one with words I never wrote 

2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 9
Mark Toney
10/2017
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Ashley Avatar
August 11, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Dear Jerry the power of the poignant beauty of your lilting verse touches me very deeply. Such a soulful unrequited love song. Such exquisite yearning. Congratulations for your success in Mark's contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Hackett Avatar
August 11, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Nice comment with love song, I have tried musical AI but for some reason the words do not transfer very well
Hackett Avatar
August 11, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Thank You
Dietrich Avatar
August 9, 2025 at 9:34 AM
I really relate to this one. Very well done, and Congrats
Hackett Avatar
August 11, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Thank you
Toney Avatar
August 8, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Jerry, congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 4 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. “The one who got away.” That last stanza was so sad, but I’m happy to know from your comment below that Ellen is still alive. Awesome poem, and great to know it was your first poem posted on PoetrySoup. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 5 has already started.
Gauthier Avatar
February 11, 2021 at 1:06 PM
A delight to find your brilliantly haunting poem published in the 2020 PS Anthology, Jerry. A FAVE for me.
Hackett Avatar
February 12, 2021 at 4:24 AM
Line, thanks for the nice comment. More importantly thanks for all you do for PS. By the way, Ellen is still alive but she did leave my life a long time ago - she was the one who got away.
Gauthier Avatar
February 24, 2018 at 5:32 PM
Congrats on your well deserved win, Jerry. The last stanza just blew me away.
Wigley Avatar
February 24, 2018 at 2:03 PM
A fine piece with a great ending, Jerry. Congrats, and welcome to the soup. Regards, Viv
Scars Avatar
February 23, 2018 at 10:24 AM
sweet love, and great poem from beginning to end thank you and congrats :) -luloo
Hackett Avatar
February 24, 2018 at 5:28 AM
Laura, thanks, your efforts make PS a nice place to visit.
Marcum Wong Avatar
February 1, 2018 at 3:57 PM
A superb first posting Jerry! Congratulations on your win. A warm welcome to Poetry Soup! Aloha, Connie : )
Hackett Avatar
February 24, 2018 at 5:27 AM
Connie, Thank you very much.
Dietrich Avatar
December 3, 2017 at 5:04 PM
This is what I term as pure POIGNANCY. Loved it, and I see why it got a high placement. Congrats on a well deserved win, Jerry.
Hackett Avatar
December 5, 2017 at 7:03 AM
Thanks, I had to look up poignancy and although sadness was not the initial intent you are correct. Some times the outcome changes as I write,
Dietrich Avatar
December 3, 2017 at 5:02 PM
wow, instead of everything's coming up daisies. I notice your page is "everything's coming up Ellen" ok, Now let me read your very first poem on this Ellen!! and I see congrats are in order for a high placement with this one!!
Gibson Avatar
December 2, 2017 at 11:39 AM
Congratulations on your high placement in the contest and welcome to Poetry Soup.
Hackett Avatar
December 2, 2017 at 11:42 AM
Thank you Faye
Cronin Avatar
November 28, 2017 at 7:48 PM
Hi Jerry, Great Rhyme! Loved the message. Always been a big believer in "Say what you need to say!" Keep up the good work, I'm excited to read more.
White Avatar
October 13, 2017 at 3:11 PM
Jerry. If you click on the word 'reply' below my comment, a small window will open, and you can type your reply there. I hope this helps :)
White Avatar
October 13, 2017 at 6:44 AM
Wonderful lyrics indeed, have you written them around music you already have? I would like to hear this. Welcome to PoetrySoup
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