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Old Boyfriends - a Trilogy

Part 1 One summer in our youth group was a boy I met. How I would love to understand if what he’d felt was equal to the joy that bloomed in me when he caressed my hand. His elfin features feminine and fine revealed him to be prettier than me. His legs and trunk seemed half the width of mine and deeper than his skin his delicacy. He fretted, changed his moods; and ulcers grew inside him. Once atop a ferris wheel he vomited, and I was young and knew that we were through. . . but how he’d made me feel! Oh, where is John? I ask; no one can say. We’d never really kissed. . . Had he been gay? Part 2 Where I grew up, a gent was hard to find who shared my faith, and so I launched my search for someone who was handsome, good and kind at monthly dances sponsored by my church. Across the river lived a Mormon guy, tall, blue-eyed, intelligent and sweet. I was sort of wild; he was shy, but at a youth event we planned to meet. Although at every chance we kissed and cuddled, I sensed he thought I’d bring him to perdition. I was his “Bathsheba” left befuddled. Then later, Alvin went and served his mission. So what if Mr. Perfect let me go? He drove and spoke and moved annoyingly slow! Part 3 Eduardo was a Spaniard from Madrid. I met him on my study there abroad. I won’t list all the many things he did, but I’ll attest that some of them were odd. Eduardo was “muy guapo,” (very cute), But still he was concerned that he was not some burly hulk, so jackets to a suit he wore downtown in June when it was hot! And once, though I could not catch every word, he had with his own mom an argument. His threat to take his clothes off was absurd, but when she screamed, I knew he was indecent. I’d closed my eyes; I should have sneaked a peek. . . I then could give a more complete critique! *I have entered these in the This Poem Really S##ks Contest of Jerry T. Curtis with one of my first sonnet trilogies I wrote back in 2002. I was in a poetry club at this time, and after posting each sonnet of the trilogy separately, I received a very rude message which was posted anonymously to me. The note basically rejoiced that I would not be showing any more sonnets like these and told me they stunk. What is strange is that it was a private club and it had to be somebody I knew that had hated either me or the poems so much that he made an effort to reach me by some account that was not even recognized by the club (Only I could see the message. nobody else would see it). I'll never know who sent me that email, but it was my first time to be criticized in a rude manner. I have had a few other occasions since, but this was my first one. Are the sonnets that bad? You tell ME!!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014




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Date: 6/21/2016 9:46:00 PM
I like these Andrea. They sound like they come from the heart; are real. I was a part 2. Wish I could go back... Fran
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Date: 3/21/2015 1:51:00 AM
The sonnets are excellent, and I'm sorry you went through the bad experience of receiving unkind e-mails about them. Julia, xx
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Date: 11/22/2014 5:15:00 AM
You are a poet through and through. Just as a fighter is born a fighter - a poet is born a poet. You cannot break the mould; it is set in stone, forged by fire...period!!!
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Date: 11/9/2014 7:31:00 AM
These are honest and emotional and touched with humor. They reveal a young you to the readers. No they are not bad.
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Date: 11/3/2014 5:32:00 PM
It's a big search finding your soul mate, tantamount to a quest, and the longer it goes on the more intense. I heard the Indian voice of Peter sellers in 'the Millionaireness' when I started reading your poem, Andrea: Ah! you're liking the boys?' With a face like Sophia Loren, she didn't have to search or look far .... hehe!
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Date: 11/2/2014 10:51:00 AM
I loved them, especially together like this... But then again I DO write about a DRAGON... LOL... No one has ever put my poems down... to my face... But a very promenent person on PoetrySoup said about Dragon 'I don't get it?' And once I was in a poetry club that one person presided over... When I read my Dragon poems... Well, He said nothing, but was definitely not happy with me... Especially after one lady smiled and said... She didn't know we could write humorous poems... I'm BAD!
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Date: 11/1/2014 1:56:00 PM
really most delightfully beautifully penned piece of writing andrea excellent pen
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Mcdaid Avatar
Liam Mcdaid
Date: 11/1/2014 2:00:00 PM
i meant pieces andrea sorry
Date: 10/31/2014 6:16:00 PM
No Andrea they are not bad...but very interesting with a touch of humor....
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Date: 10/31/2014 4:11:00 PM
far too good to win Andrea what a small minded petty person that cowardly left that comment hugs
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Date: 10/30/2014 11:41:00 AM
Interesting true story well narrated by you Andrea. Joyously remains the dominating factor affecting all most all humans. With many it goes more the normal level and then such characters brew- up as you have faced dear friend. It was a joy to read this beautiful and elaborate Poem. Love and best wishes always….Ravindra K Kapoor
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Date: 10/29/2014 10:56:00 PM
My daughters would say "girls rule, boys drool!" Loved the sonnets . . . they made my teeth dry out from smiling. Keep writing my friend, a lover of words.
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Date: 10/29/2014 3:25:00 PM
Andrea, No!! - these sonnets are not bad at all. Rather, they are very good (and I really mean that!!). I can't believe that someone in his or her "infinite wisdom" (??) would be so nasty and cruel like this to place an anonymous note of such petty criticism. It shows a lack of professionalism and a reprehensible panache for inexcusable child-like behavior. Keep doing all the fine work you doing. You're one of my FAVs! Gary but I actually mean to say that I too know human nature all too well.
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Date: 10/29/2014 2:50:00 PM
I don't think so; perhaps the person was jealous? Constructive criticism should come with suggestions for improvement, else it's just a nasty comment. Perhaps you should've sent that reply. Keep writing, practice makes perfect.
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Date: 10/29/2014 2:46:00 PM
Thanks for the feedback. Hope you win the contest. I am waiting to see if I won the Conceit magazine contest. Are you a Mormon? So - you have had a lot of boyfriends. I have gone out with quite a few women myself over the years. If you noticed I wrote about that in Further. Peace & Love Matthew Anish
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Date: 10/29/2014 1:56:00 PM
Andrea these r just awesome! Wonder who said so n why u entered them into this contest? Fabulous work n no chances of win in this very contest I m sure! Best wishes!
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Date: 10/29/2014 10:13:00 AM
All three Sonnets are to me the difference between an old tube TVs and the new Ultra HD TVs. I can see every detail of the collage you paint. That is why you are my favorite poet. You create beauty and your work is always crystal clear. I am faving these and if I was you I would enter something else for this poem S***S. These don't have a chance they are way to good.
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Date: 10/29/2014 8:37:00 AM
So very unique boyfriends that you encountered..Is this based on truth? Reads like a winner to me..Way to go..Thanks for the visit to my page..Glad my work was calming for your bedtime..Sara
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 10/29/2014 8:44:00 AM
Of course they were true, Sara, and I did not even get around to doing the native american who thought i was so "trite" and the seventh day adventist who loved arguing over religion with me relentlessly!!
Date: 10/29/2014 8:35:00 AM
Well Andrea I will be honest. If this had been an exclusive club where they were used to fine poetry, this might be a bit childish for them. BUT to me they are absolutely great. They have wit and charm. I loved to read them and my brain was calling for more. It was a great idea for you to post them here, now you may never have to feel bad again about them. You now have the soup behind you. XOXO
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Date: 10/29/2014 6:03:00 AM
muy guapo,poema fragante, de olor agradable. What about your fourth sonnet Andrea? "His elfin features feminine and fine revealed him to be prettier than me. His legs and trunk seemed half the width of mine and deeper than his skin his delicacy". You make me laugh . So funny witty lines! Love......RAJAT
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Date: 10/29/2014 5:52:00 AM
I so much throughly enjoyed this this morning. it made me sile a.d grin and is very well written. When people critque,many do that. my first experience was humiliating.. They poked fun st me. tore me and one man said,wait,don't. leave... but I did. take good csre. Slways a pleasure to read you lady girl! Smile... Cindy
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Cindy Cayton
Date: 10/29/2014 5:55:00 AM
Looks like my com is in code. touch screens!!!! guess my fingers are too big. (Laughing)
Date: 10/29/2014 4:35:00 AM
Constructive criticism is one thing but the negative and rude criticism just hurts. As the other comments posted state these poems are witty and fun.
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Date: 10/29/2014 4:18:00 AM
I liked to Mr.Perfect...Very good analyses to the human characters...You put some great lines as your conclusion about the characters in the poem...I enjoyed these lines very much...Thank you very much...
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Date: 10/29/2014 3:53:00 AM
Got to say Andrea they are brilliantly witty and not at all sh***y so you cant enter them in a contest lol :-) hugs jan xxx
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Date: 10/29/2014 3:11:00 AM
they are witty and funny Andrea... :) Thanks much for the drop by.. :D how are you??? hope you not that busy and overworked.. :) hugs from me, olive eloisa
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Date: 10/29/2014 2:44:00 AM
Well, I don't think so Andrea...they had me smiling all the way through. I thought they were entertaining and fun!
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