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I Paused, She Paused

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Two months after graduation I dialed her number, 8 - 1 - 8, I paused… maybe Sue's forgotten me? well I'll never know if I don't try we spoke of our college days of late nights cramming for music theory exams of songs we wrote (together) for her beautiful soprano voice "Would you like to have dinner sometime?" I asked she paused… "I'm in a relationship" "Hey, I'm happy for you" I lied and went on with my life 34 years went by Oct 7th, 2016 I had just finished loading the dishwasher she dialed my number it was her 56th birthday she was alone we spoke of our careers of late nights watching classic movies of songs we wrote (not together) one of hers made it on the radio: 'Hold Me In Your Eyes' Sue said she wrote those lyrics thinking of how I used to look at her so intently, never looking away she paused… "Would you like to have dinner sometime?" I paused… "I'm in a relationship" "Hey, I'm happy for you" Views For Poems Poetry Contest Sponsored by: Funom Makama The following are to be included in the poem - My most viewed poem: Hold Me In Your Eyes Number of views: 818 Poetry form: Lyric Date published: 7 October, 2016

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Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/16/2020 2:25:00 PM

oh wow, you did this one based off the Funom contest!! . well, I also faved it because truly it's one of my favorites of your free verse style! plus it reminds me of the time GUY loranger called me out of the blue after I gave birth to my firstborn. I hope he was thinking DANG it when he said "happy for you" Can't even remember now what he said. I was so in shock from the phone call.

John Watt
Date: 8/16/2020 2:38:00 PM

I'm sure Guy was swearing in French after he hung up!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/16/2020 2:22:00 PM

ha, you made it so realistic, I googled the song title to be sure it was fiction!! There actually is a song like that but it starts out with YOU hold me in your eyes! this is awesome, my friend. Gotta fave it coz you are my bud!!

John Watt
Date: 8/16/2020 2:41:00 PM

Thank you for the great comments and another sweet fave. Incidentally, this photo I downloaded from an internet photo site looks exactly like Sue did 40 years ago, and she played guitar, too. It's an uncanny resemblance.

Lewis Raynes

Date: 7/28/2020 6:01:00 PM

Beautiful, fun memories, im sure this story has happened for many young "lovers" who missed out.

John Watt
Date: 7/29/2020 7:51:00 AM

It's a sad tale for many, true. Thanks for dropping by, Lewis.

Aditi Mishra

Date: 7/26/2020 9:19:00 PM

What a beautiful fictional tale from your pen my friend. I could only imagine the plight of both the persons. Finding each other yet retreating like lost boats. This is one heartwarming muse. Congratulations on your win! :) I should proceed to read 'Hold Me In Your Eyes' now :)

John Watt
Date: 7/26/2020 10:44:00 PM

Aditi, you are gifted at discerning the inner meaning. The time you take to read and comment is greatly valued. Many blessings, my poetry friend.

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 7/17/2020 4:26:00 PM

It is all about timing isn’t it John? Congratulations on your wonderful win! I really enjoyed this poetic story that feels like non-fiction. Bravo! xxoo

John Watt
Date: 7/17/2020 4:42:00 PM

Thanks for the read and kind congrats, Connie! As I was telling Michelle, half is fiction for the sake of the contest (and to make my life appear more interesting than it really is, haha!)

Kenneth Cheney

Date: 7/17/2020 10:53:00 AM

John really enjoyed reading and viewing this piece. Sometimes in life the timing is just never right for a relationship to grow.

John Watt
Date: 7/17/2020 12:17:00 PM

Kenneth, you're so right. This is a recurring theme of many dramas and situation comedies I've seen. Thanks for stopping by, my friend ~ John

Funom Makama

Date: 7/17/2020 5:55:00 AM

Thank you so much for this wonderful entry. I am glad to have this poem in my contest. Your high placement is well deserved.

John Watt
Date: 7/17/2020 12:16:00 PM

Thank you, my friend for sponsoring this intriguing contest that highlights the most viewed poems of our fellow Soup poets. There will be many interesting reads of older poems in the days ahead, thanks to you. Gratitude for the generous placement, Funom. God bless, John

Jhinuk Mukherjee

Date: 7/16/2020 1:21:00 AM

I really loved the tone of the poem and the intertwining of old memories, the nostalgia with the long lost love... I really felt it... It's an absolute gem

John Watt
Date: 7/16/2020 2:27:00 AM

You are too kind, Jhinuk. Thank you for your generous words and multiple reads tonight. Be blessed ~ John

Gershon Wolf

Date: 7/15/2020 7:04:00 PM

Brilliant (Jo Daniel below) is perhaps an understatement. You picked the guitar strings just perfectly on this one, my friend. Bullseye! Light and Joy, Gershon

John Watt
Date: 7/16/2020 2:29:00 AM

Thanks for yet another musically pertinent comment, Gershon! You have been wonderful to uplift my spirits with so many generous comments today, my friend!

Joanna Daniel

Date: 7/15/2020 4:09:00 AM

Brilliant use of the criteria mentioned and meaningful too, I am not trying this contest, best wishes to you, John:)

John Watt
Date: 7/15/2020 10:16:00 AM

Thanks for the lovely comment, Jo. I understand the reticence, it was a challenge indeed.

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 7/14/2020 8:54:00 PM

I'm not sure if this is a true story, but I like how it circles from past to present, and how much life can change us, this is sweet with a touch of nostalgia-

John Watt
Date: 7/14/2020 9:20:00 PM

It's partly true, partly fabricated. I'll let you imagine which is which...Thank you for the lovely comment, Michelle