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Plagued By Memories

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Plagued By Memories Poetry Contest, Sponsor - Ink Empress. Date written: 04/23/2025


         oh, memories 
         of a childhood friend 
I couldn't forget 
      if I tried 
he lived just two blocks 
away from me
               it was as if 
he lived next door
we attended 
      the same high school 
            studied and played sports 
t  o g e t  h  e  r
        even courted 
               the same girl
              fought about it 
eventually laughed about it... 
friendly rivalry, you see
one fateful day
         he disappears
               from my life 
unheard from 
         never seen again 
                memories of him 
    I drag along in my mind 
           as if 
a cumbersome ball and chain 
around my ankle
   years and years go by...
                   and I still wrestle 
     with beasts of regret
p  l  a  g  u  e  d 
       by what-ifs
                       what if.... 
I never embarked on 
      my tour of duty?
          would my decision
              have made any difference?
    I came back 
          on furlough 
after Navy boot camp graduation 
            only to learn 
he's gone out of dodge, 
                 for good!
       I waited for his call 
to update me 
      of his whereabouts 
                his new address 
the call never came 
         why? 
                  why? 
confusion and anger 
      eventually morphs 
               into acceptance;
 I understood...
      he's moved much too far
 to maintain contact, 
     I surmised.
          today, I hold on 
to only the fond memories
 I pray that he's well 
           and thriving 
              wherever he is

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Kim Rodrigues

Date: 4/27/2025 6:21:00 PM

We want to know where they went, and sometimes a reunion doesn’t reveal. When I went in the service, my parents moved from the North to the South. I would constantly dream about the place and friends. When I drove on my neighborhood road, it was strange…the road was all cracked…the lake was missing (found out it belonged to someone and they fenced it in)

Edward Ibeh
Date: 4/27/2025 8:48:00 PM

Thank you very much for the awesome feedback and visit, Kim:-) Most obliged.

Beata Agustin

Date: 4/25/2025 11:58:00 PM

Congrats! Thanks for sharing this. Thanks likewise for my placement in your recently-judged contest. God bless you.

Edward Ibeh
Date: 4/26/2025 5:59:00 AM

Thank you so much, Beata:-)

Susan Ashley

Date: 4/25/2025 7:37:00 AM

Dear Edward, your reminiscing poem about your childhood friend is filled with vivid nostalgia that brings me into your past memories with vibrant imagery and into your present day curiosity of his whereabouts with heartfelt poetic ease. Congratulations for your success in Ink's contest. Warmest wishes my poet friend.. ~Susan

Edward Ibeh
Date: 4/25/2025 8:18:00 AM

Coming from one of the greatest PS poets of all time, your feedback means a lot to me, Susan:-) Thanks so much for the congratulations and warm wishes, my friend.

Karen Jones

Date: 4/25/2025 5:13:00 AM

What a sweet heart you have to hold on to warm memories and miss the childhood friend. You never know what went on in his life. Perhaps it was a tragic move for him too like a divorce or a death causing life to change? I enjoyed your engaging write! Congratulations on your placement in the contest. I seem to be in a bit of a writer’s block where what I write sucks lol.

Edward Ibeh
Date: 4/25/2025 5:22:00 AM

Thank you very much for the wonderful comments and visit, Karen. You're absolutely right. No one knows what goes on in people's lives. I pray that all is well with him now. I'm sorry you're experiencing writer's block. Hopefully, your muse comes back soon.

Ink Empress

Date: 4/25/2025 1:53:00 AM

Dear EI, What a most heartfelt and touching poem woven in such a nostalgic manner, i love the seamless flow of your words and how it leaves us readers wondering what could have happened and feeling deeply for all that you've expressed here in such a sincere rhythm. I especially loved "I never embarked on my tour of duty? would my decision have made any difference? Sometimes all we have left with us are questions of " what ifs" thank you for sharing this poignant poem! Congratulations on your placement in my contest. Sending you light

Edward Ibeh
Date: 4/25/2025 2:30:00 AM

Thank you very much for the awesome feedback, my placement, and congratulations, dear Inky. Most obliged.

Tom Woody

Date: 4/24/2025 5:58:00 AM

Was he AWOL? I guess in a sense he is either way. I have a friend from childhood I think about sometimes. I moved away and we lost contact. We used to battle it out on the ping pong table. Anyway if this is a true story sorry for your loss. Maybe one day he'll reappear, unless he's passed on

Edward Ibeh
Date: 4/24/2025 7:53:00 AM

A true story, unfortunately. No, he was a civilian. I doubt we'll cross paths again, but I do hope he's still alive. Thanks for dropping by, Tom:-)