I Remember That Summer

....  I remember that summer

    ...He was only here for the summer.
Countless afternoons the four of us spent
swimming at the dam or playing soccer in the park.
Gayle and I, he and Donny.

    ...Awkward fifteen year old shyness
turned into sixteen year old flirtations.
A game of tag in the cemetary
turned into a playful wrestling match
before becoming a tender kiss.

    ...He told me he could not date me
because his best friend had a crush on me.
Before summer ended I was dating a senior,
eighteen and so grown up.

    ...His friend had never stood a chance with me
and he had thrown away his.




~~~ for Franks's contest "A Summer Memory" ~~~
                 28/04/2012
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Flanagan Avatar
July 18, 2012 at 8:30 PM
Very nice poem, oh how I miss young love!~Tammy~
Carrillo Avatar
May 19, 2012 at 1:14 PM
The poem is good and it must have been quiet a summer. Thanks for sharing. Lucilla
Richards Avatar
May 19, 2012 at 9:33 AM
Oh....wow, I'm sorry I missed this one earlier. What a tender, nostalgic, and rather bittersweet poem this is. But what a wonderful memory to keep.
Bickerstaffe Avatar
May 12, 2012 at 10:24 PM
So sweet, and captivating! '...awkward fifteen year old shyness turned into sixteen year old flirtations' love that phrase! Well done, Francine!! Best wishes, Keith
Johnson Avatar
May 11, 2012 at 4:57 PM
people passing closely by , thoughts of what if can i, cant deny....but a not if to try....
Horsman Avatar
May 8, 2012 at 3:12 PM
wonderful poem, Francine, enjoyed. harry
K Avatar
May 7, 2012 at 8:36 PM
Sad ending, but common in cases...Wonderful write!
Pettit Avatar
May 7, 2012 at 12:50 PM
While reading this, memories of the film "Summer of '42" flashed into my mind. Overall, this is an impressive write.
Wesley Avatar
May 7, 2012 at 12:11 PM
The complications of romance so aptly stated Francine; don't we wonder whot might have been with a different decision. A poem of lost memories in the past. P S Thanks always for your sweet comments, they are precious to me! Luv, Lizzie
Guzzi Avatar
May 6, 2012 at 11:32 AM
What we loose when fear takes over aye? nice one! [Thank you for my honor ;)] Light & Love
Falotico Avatar
May 5, 2012 at 1:48 PM
SoupMail. 4 u
Madonsela Avatar
May 4, 2012 at 2:26 PM
francine, love the romance in the poem, but kind of feel sorry for the friend , coz i had found myself many a time to be the 'friend'. Great poetry RONNY
Brown Avatar
May 4, 2012 at 6:01 AM
Congratulations on your win in Frank's "A Summer Memory" contest Francine Love, Carol
Onclaud Avatar
May 4, 2012 at 2:30 AM
a revisit, dear francine... free verse becomes you.. thank you for the reminder about the footnote for Lightfoot contest; i included this already... pardon the memory lapse and huggs! :)
Dietrich Avatar
April 30, 2012 at 9:05 PM
wow francine, I LOVE this and the ending is awesome. I had a story like that in my life as well. BIG congrats.
Prabhu Avatar
April 30, 2012 at 12:33 PM
congrats on the placement in the contest.........~sashi
Johnson Avatar
April 30, 2012 at 12:05 PM
A lost love. Nicely told Francine. Love, Joyce
Onclaud Avatar
April 30, 2012 at 3:02 AM
a poignant reverie..my hands are tied, so here's a generic sweet cheers to you for a great win... :) huggs and love, francine!
Wesley Avatar
April 29, 2012 at 9:13 AM
Too bad he missed his chance; those years are so nice to look back on Francine, memories that can't be lost!
Northeast Avatar
April 29, 2012 at 6:06 AM
Oh that is so sad- it sounded so promising- lovely poem Francine-well done, brenda : )
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