John Watt Poet Lyric

Notes About The Poem

Paper Boat

One day as I threw stones into my river
one day as I threw stones into my river
the first time I laid eyes on you
you asked if you could throw some too
one day as I threw stones into my river

We spent our childhood playing by the river
we spent our childhood playing by the river
we'd swim, skip rocks, play hide and seek
you'd scold me, "Close your eyes, don't peek!"
we spent our childhood playing by the river

In school you liked to borrow my old pencil
in school you liked to borrow my old pencil
the other girls all wrote in pen
they teased you, back when we were ten
but still you liked to borrow my old pencil

We grew up, you and I, down by our river
we grew up, you and I, down by our river
the trees all sighed as though they knew
that chilly day I first kissed you
we grew up, you and I, down by our river

One day the doctor came to your front door
one day the doctor came to your front door
your folks sat down to speak with him
your mama cried, your pa looked grim
the day the doctor came to your front door

I sailed a paper boat down your big river
I sailed a paper boat down your big river
"I miss you, friend" is all I wrote,
in pencil, on that paper boat
I sailed a paper boat down your big river

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Paulette Calasibetta October 26, 2021 at 2:29 PM John, I have chills....an awesome write; your form, where you repeat the 1st line of each stanza is very powerful. Blessings, Paulette

Andrea Dietrich October 12, 2021 at 9:03 PM this really happened to you?? I see your note to Jennifer. Although it is very real sounding, I still was thinking you invented it?? John Watt October 12, 2021 at 10:01 PM No, this was a purely fictional write. It was inspired by a James Taylor song.

Andrea Dietrich October 12, 2021 at 9:02 PM Oh my goodness, here is one of the poems i never realized you had written. I'm so sorry I missed this. It's utterly poignant and so touching, John. Whatever inspired it and what made you use this form of repeating the first line? Is it a new form? Thanks for letting me know if this. John Watt October 12, 2021 at 10:04 PM The repeating lines is more of a lyrical device, coming in folk songs and the blues. I can imagine someone singing this as a sad ballad, a la "Clementine". Thank you so much for your kind hearted words.

Brandy Nicole September 22, 2021 at 6:41 PM Precious moments and memories drift along the river, the river that belonged to you and your sweet friend. Oh my ! Your thoughts touch my heart so deeply. This is beautiful, lyrical and tender, all at the same time. The way you bring the reader in, leaves me in complete awe. Your pen is golden, my dear friend. Many wonderful blessings to you. Hugs, Brandy John Watt September 23, 2021 at 10:52 AM Thank you, dear Brandy, for understanding the depth and gist of my words, and for leaving me with such an uplifting reply. My spirit is encouraged, and my heart is smiling. Hugs ~ John

Michelle Faulkner September 1, 2021 at 3:03 PM That first love never really leaves entirely, I can imagine the tune as longing and lonely, very emotive write, John~ John Watt September 14, 2021 at 3:19 PM You're so right about first love (and about the tune!) Thanks for stopping by, Michelle.

Jennifer Fenn August 28, 2021 at 9:52 PM Wow, what a moving tribute to your childhood sweetheart! John Watt August 29, 2021 at 11:37 PM Thank you for the read and kind words, Jennifer.

Jennifer Proxenos August 28, 2021 at 12:16 PM Such cute childhood memories which developed into young love memories but how sad that these memories so warmly enfolded within you ended with tears and a doctors visit to your best friend's house. but you still remember these memories fondly as you sail a paper boat down the same river where you first kissed and wrote on it in pencil, perhaps evev one you had kept, " miss you, friend".Hope you are well John, Hugs and blessings, Jennifer. John Watt August 29, 2021 at 11:36 PM Yes, you nailed it, my friend. Always a treat to see your comments, dear friend. Blessings and hugs ~ John

Anitha Jayasankar August 28, 2021 at 8:59 AM So sad and emotional a poem dear John... Such memorable moments of a beautiful childhood..captured so well... Loved your title too... God bless... ~ Ani John Watt August 29, 2021 at 11:35 PM Thank you, Ani. I'm glad this spoke to you. God bless ~ John

Beryl Edmonds August 27, 2021 at 7:59 PM A sad yet beautiful lyric poem John, memories from a happy childhood friendship that tragically ended. All that needed to be said, you wrote on that paper boat… Belle John Watt August 29, 2021 at 11:35 PM I appreciate the kind words, Belle. Fortunately, this was a fictional write.