When You Wanted To Say, I Love You

Remember the days when you wanted to say 
  "I love you; I love everything about you"
     But you just couldn't get the words out

You were in high school, a junior or senior 
  "I love how you walk; I love how you talk"
     But the words always cleaved to your palate

You felt that she liked you; she smiled at you sweetly
  "I love how you look, how you carry your books"
     But the fear that you faced was palpable

She waited for months, but you didn't come through
  "I love your soft hair, your fashionable flair"
     So she walked down the hall with another

He was no match for you, but what could you do
  "I wanted to let you know badly, but I blew it"
     She drifted away, forever left you
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Sietesantos Avatar
June 18, 2019 at 5:03 PM
What a lovely reflection of growing pains - if only we had said something back then - the regret of youthful words of love left unsaid! Recently, someone revealed that as a teeneager he had had a crush on me, but was afraid I would have rejected him. Perhaps, if he had revealed it back then, our lives would have taken a different path:-)! Beautiful write my friend! Bravo! Hugs. Pandita
Wolf Avatar
June 18, 2019 at 5:42 PM
Pandita, your story is precisely what I alluded to. And who knows how life might have been different, had the shyness and fear been overcome. Thank you for the support. Best wishes, Gershon
Faulkner Avatar
June 10, 2019 at 6:11 PM
Oh, the tender hearts of teenagers, so sweetly expressed, Gershon!
Wolf Avatar
June 11, 2019 at 2:48 PM
Tender surely are their hearts, those precious teen-aged years! Thanks for the feedback, Michelle. You are so right! :) gw
Y. Avatar
June 8, 2019 at 5:39 PM
WoW! Gershon, I can relate to this poem. You took me back down memory lane. I was back in high school and I can recall my first crush. He was so handsome. But he never approched me. Well done;') Alexis
Wolf Avatar
June 11, 2019 at 2:47 PM
Yes, I'll bet that his tongue was tied at the sight of your beauty and grace!! :) gw
Krutsinger Avatar
June 8, 2019 at 5:21 AM
This happens so many many many times. So sad. " But you just couldn't get the words out" But it does happen, especially to the "nice guys".
Wolf Avatar
June 11, 2019 at 2:46 PM
You are right, CK. This really does happen (to nice guys). :) gw
Ashley Avatar
June 7, 2019 at 9:21 PM
Your poem is moving in its tender expression, Gershon. I was captivated by your wistful nostalgia and the lovely flow and rhyme of this piece. Beautiful! Warmest wishes always my inspiring friend.. ~Susan
Ashley Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 2:53 PM
Aww, sweet dear Gershon, I’m flattered :)
Wolf Avatar
June 11, 2019 at 2:45 PM
Susan, methinks that were we in high school that you would be the lovely young thing who tied my tongue in inescapable knots! :) gw
Proxenos Avatar
June 7, 2019 at 1:59 PM
Hi Gershon - but I'm sure you finally ended up the winner! Girls are more forward - young boys and young men normally more reserved, This quickly corrects itself however as they grow up! LOL Hugs, Jennifer.
Wolf Avatar
June 7, 2019 at 2:20 PM
Very, very interesting comment, my good friend... Actually, I ended up a big loser for quite a while. Not only was this write autobiographical, but this young lady and I were disconnected for over 40 years. A 45th reunion brought us in 'electronic contact,' and turns out I was right: She was very interested in me, but I just couldn't get the words out to get the ball rolling... All for the best, somehow, of course.. :) gw
Romios Avatar
June 7, 2019 at 1:17 AM
Touching! Panagiota
Wolf Avatar
June 7, 2019 at 1:30 PM
Thanks, Panagiota! Wish the protagonist in the poem had not been me... But the world turns, and I've actually heard from the 'young lady' in question a couple of times over the past few years... I give her a lot of credit!! Best wishes, Gershon
Messina Avatar
June 6, 2019 at 11:04 PM
Boy Gershon, you have told the story of many of us in our school years and days. I was always shy in school and never approached a girl first. One day I learned, the worst that can happen is she will say no. Eventually someone will say yes (lol). I've had my share though (lol) Nice write. Enjoyed ~Charlie
Wolf Avatar
June 7, 2019 at 1:29 PM
Sounds like we took similar paths toward our present (LOL) popularity...I too was a super-shy fellow, and this poem was almost completely autobiographical...And you are so right, eventually we learn that 'No' will not shatter us---and that we'll 'Yes' more often than we think. Thanks for the empathetic comment! Best wishes, gw
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