John Watt Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

I Paused, She Paused

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 August 16, 2020 at 2:25 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 August 16, 2020 at 2:38 PM I'm sure Guy was swearing in French after he hung up!

Andrea Dietrich August 16, 2020 at 2:22 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 August 16, 2020 at 2:41 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 July 28, 2020 at 6:01 PM Beautiful, fun memories, im sure this story has happened for many young "lovers" who missed out. John Watt July 29, 2020 at 7:51 AM It's a sad tale for many, true. Thanks for dropping by, Lewis.

Aditi Mishra July 26, 2020 at 9:19 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 July 26, 2020 at 10:44 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 July 17, 2020 at 4:26 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 July 17, 2020 at 4:42 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 July 17, 2020 at 10:53 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 July 17, 2020 at 12:17 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 July 17, 2020 at 5:55 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 July 17, 2020 at 12:16 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 July 16, 2020 at 1:21 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 July 16, 2020 at 2:27 AM You are too kind, Jhinuk. Thank you for your generous words and multiple reads tonight. Be blessed ~ John

Gershon Wolf July 15, 2020 at 7:04 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 July 16, 2020 at 2:29 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 July 15, 2020 at 4:09 AM Brilliant use of the criteria mentioned and meaningful too, I am not trying this contest, best wishes to you, John:) John Watt July 15, 2020 at 10:16 AM Thanks for the lovely comment, Jo. I understand the reticence, it was a challenge indeed.

Michelle Faulkner July 14, 2020 at 8:54 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 July 14, 2020 at 9:20 PM It's partly true, partly fabricated. I'll let you imagine which is which...Thank you for the lovely comment, Michelle