The Long Look

Your cheeks flared crimson, through my misty eyes
as recognition dawned, you held my gaze,
our awkward smiles and nods could not disguise
the memories recalled, forgotten days.
Seeds of our love were sown one winter's night,
two seasons passed, like shoots we watched them grow
for Summer harvesting, the time seemed right,
on bended knee, a ring, please don't say no.
We walked the shore at sundown, arm in arm,
you picked your way through rocks with easy grace,
chorus of breaking waves weaving their charms
the breeze whipped strands of hair across your face.
In hindsight we reaped our harvest much too soon,
the shoots not strong enough to weather storms,
before year's end our hearts played different tunes,
from tiny arguments a tempest formed.
Decades ago we went our separate ways
the long shadow you cast in my heart fades
the what-if's and could-be's of yesterday
long buried under choices we have made.
But deep inside that hazel coloured stare
a flickering of something that's still there.

10th April 2018
For contest 'Ten words', sponsor Joseph May
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Sinha-Roy Avatar
April 24, 2018 at 1:07 AM
Congratulations on your great win, Viv.
Wigley Avatar
April 24, 2018 at 8:42 AM
Thanks, Subimal!
Gentry Avatar
April 23, 2018 at 10:35 PM
Awww, an old flame... a beautiful story, you capture the scene well and a bit of 'what if' in there too. Congratulations on your win!
Wigley Avatar
April 24, 2018 at 8:42 AM
Thanks, Susan, you too! Viv x
Y. Avatar
April 23, 2018 at 5:38 PM
Hi Viv, Congratulations on your 1st place win :-) Alexis
Wigley Avatar
April 24, 2018 at 8:43 AM
Thanks Alexis, enjoyed the write.
Gentile Avatar
April 23, 2018 at 2:14 PM
Congrats Viv on your no. 1 placement !!
Wigley Avatar
April 24, 2018 at 8:43 AM
Thanks Mike, back atcha!
May Avatar
April 23, 2018 at 1:16 PM
Old flames still have a spark..Congrats on your win Viv..
Wigley Avatar
April 24, 2018 at 8:43 AM
Thanks Joseph, a great challenge, enjoyed it. Very kind. regards, Viv
Onclaud Avatar
April 10, 2018 at 3:50 PM
knocking my socks off, viv... mellow in tone with that flicker of hope in the end; wow... huggs
Wigley Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 1:43 AM
Thanks, nette, I enjoyed composing it, in a melancholy sort of way. Viv x
Gauthier Avatar
April 10, 2018 at 8:47 AM
So romantic, Viv. Beautifully evocative.
Wigley Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 1:45 AM
Thanks, Line, lost loves are a good subject, but have to be handled with kid gloves. Viv x
Sands Avatar
April 10, 2018 at 8:26 AM
Well written Viv. I like how you ended this poem. I am sure many can relate to this. Good luck in the contest :)
Wigley Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 1:45 AM
Thanks, Heidi, yes, we've all been somewhere similar, and us oldies probably more than most :)
Krampe Avatar
April 10, 2018 at 7:16 AM
Great storytelling in your poem, Viv, your rhyme flows effortless. Good luck in the contest.
Wigley Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 1:46 AM
Thanks, Agnes, a bit of faffing about with the words, but it settled eventually. Viv x
Cunningham Avatar
April 10, 2018 at 6:49 AM
Funny how lost loves stay with you forever, you often think what could have been. Good luck Viv. Tom
Wigley Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 1:46 AM
Thanks, Tom, I think she may have had a lucky escape :)
Allison Avatar
April 10, 2018 at 2:03 AM
you are a master story teller Mr Viv, what wonderful memories of the past of a love that sadly didn't last yet the embers of what once were still burn. Adding this gem to my faves, good luck in the contest:-) hugs jan xx
Wigley Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 1:47 AM
Thanks, Jan, very kind. Those who find their first love is the love for their lives are pretty lucky. And rare :) . Viv x
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