Notes About The Poem

For the Unrepeatable Moment Contest of Daniel Henry Rodgers

In His Riviera : September of '72

In front of my houses, on leather, we
were sitting, and I cannot figure why,
but he was to my right. Why would he be
on the passenger side? That is where I
ought to have been – the closest to the door!
However, that’s the way I recall it.
He touched my face, and I could not ignore
sensations, never wanting them to quit.
His lashes were so long – dark like his eyes.
“Do you know what butterfly kisses are?”
he asked me, gazing at me like his prize.
His lashes touched mine. In that lovely car,
I melted when his mouth met softly mine.
His Riviera had become my shrine. 

Part 2:

I chose to write on this moment because it was so special to me. This young Canadian came into my life (then left) right before my 16th birthday. The feelings he brought me can never be duplicated, so they fit the theme of “unrepeatable.” Also, many of my romantic poems were inspired by this moment as well as by that entire night.

No lines were difficult for me to write because I chose a form I love to use. However, the final couplet was a bit difficult. Upon editing this poem, I only switched out a few words or phrases to make those lines more specific. For example, my first line had been “Inside his lovely Riviera, we” . Because I mention the car’s name at the end, and because I wanted to get in the fact we were parked in front of my house, I changed line 1.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

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Puddifoot Avatar
March 5, 2026 at 2:23 PM
you never forget your first love, congrats on your placement in the contest :) re my poem, i was involved with the prison reform trust, i can't really say who it was but he was very notorious, there's been a number of tv documentaries & books about him
Dietrich Avatar
March 5, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Ok. Give me a hint. In which decade was he notorious? And where were you living. Haha.
Kendrick Avatar
March 4, 2026 at 5:21 AM
Congratulations on your winning work. Way to go. Yes, this was very romantic and telling of a young girl's feelings for maybe her first love. Thank you for sharing it with us. Sara K
Dietrich Avatar
March 5, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Thank you
Rodrigues Avatar
March 3, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Back with congrats! I knew he would love!
Dietrich Avatar
March 3, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Thanks. I just wasn't sure I would make it. I think I saw you on the winner list too. Let me go see
Rodrigues Avatar
February 27, 2026 at 3:42 AM
You made a final impact at the last line…was a good choice of line arrangement. I think Daniel will love this! I do!
Dietrich Avatar
March 3, 2026 at 2:14 PM
thanks, I just found out that I got a placement. That made me feel good!
Crandall Avatar
February 26, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Very romantic!
Anaya Avatar
February 25, 2026 at 10:32 AM
I too was going to do it on my first kiss in his lowrider old bomb, ha. Very nice Andrea, I only found 1 abstract noun. Unless it's tactile feeling. I had a gazillion! (lol)
Dietrich Avatar
February 25, 2026 at 6:47 PM
I changed the wording. Also, wasn't my first kiss but was the best one
Anaya Avatar
February 25, 2026 at 6:22 PM
hmm, good question ~ have a good night!
Dietrich Avatar
February 25, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Definitely tactile. You think it will be construed the other way?
Hind Avatar
February 24, 2026 at 11:12 PM
sweet memory!! <3
Singh Avatar
February 24, 2026 at 9:15 PM
A beautiful romantic verse.Like it
Dietrich Avatar
February 24, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Thank you
bard Avatar
February 24, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Dietrich Avatar
February 24, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Thanks, Douglas
bard Avatar
February 24, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Good day Andrea Brought back an old memory but not in a car. A lovely sonnet expressing your romantic emotions Blessings Douglas
May Avatar
February 24, 2026 at 4:30 PM
I enjoyed your romantic verse Andrea, best wishes
Dietrich Avatar
February 24, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Thanks, Joseph
Parker Avatar
February 24, 2026 at 3:56 PM
He must have left a very, very, very strong impression to write a lot of your romantic poems from this memory...
Dietrich Avatar
February 24, 2026 at 5:15 PM
very much so. A few others too, but he really stood out.
Maverick Avatar
February 24, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Look i like the romantic.' But with all the Chopping and changing, and re-arranging.? Do you remember if it was An auto-matic.? As that could enhance The sin.??? Er syn-ergy..I mean of the night..That is now in memory.' Yet memorable..Yes indeedy me..Ya know I Think i'm getting Americanised somewhat.? What do you say.? Er oh yes Andrea..LOL!)))
Maverick Avatar
February 25, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Lol))) I mean't the sin? in altering Line one..Hun.)))
Dietrich Avatar
February 24, 2026 at 2:50 PM
What sin? It was pure romance. Nope. Can't recall if it was automatic. I can't even recall its color. Dang!
Jones Avatar
February 24, 2026 at 10:53 AM
I enjoyed reading your words. I was at the edge of my seat as your poem is engaging and had me intrigued. I’m afraid I immediately thought of your safety as my mind is still traumatized from rape. But so happy this wasn’t that and ended well! I wrote for this but didn’t really think my writing was appropriate. Still at sweet Anaya’s encouragement I did enter. Have a blessed day and best wishes!
Dietrich Avatar
February 24, 2026 at 2:13 PM
So sorry what happened to you. It's funny. My sisters were looking down on this guys car in front of my house and saw me making out with him. Not dangerous at all. It was the early 70s , dear. A very different world from today's . I made out in many cars but hardly ever enjoyed it like that one night.
Goldsmith Avatar
February 24, 2026 at 8:04 AM
I enjoyed reading your wonderful write/story. Young love was so great. "Good  Luck" I did, "At The Airport All Dressed In Yellow." Have a great day writing away..........
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