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There's nothing quite like
saying hello to someone
who doesn't remember
who you are.

They tilt their head, maybe
squint their eyes,
but nothing materializes.
Your face means nothing.

Even when you saved
the world together when
you were both ten

or wrestled on old
Mrs. Snyder's yard
for an autographed
Ken Griffey Jr. card

or fell in and out
of love with the same girl
throughout the tenth and
eleventh grade.  

Now your face means nothing
and a world of memory is
shattered against the soft
edges of your heart.  

Maybe its troubling that
moments spent so earnestly
could be
forgotten

or the idea that you could be, too.  

The truly valuable people
come like drops
of water from
a sandy canteen

so forgive me while I
pick up the pieces of
myself that broke
off with you.
Thomas Newlove Aug 2015
Her eyes said "yes" when they first met mine
Her smile said "I want to know more"
Her laugh said "this guy seems quite nice.
Who knows what the night has in store?"

My mouth said "Jesus, I'm being a bore"
My heart felt recurring themes
She walked away, and into the night
As my brain said "just in your dreams"
JDK Aug 2015
I'm sorry I didn't recognize you.
(Those few years between might as well've been centuries.)
It seems you were just the guard rails on a bridge I burned a long time ago.
I should have hung on.
"Uh . . . should I?"
Remembering June Aug 2015
Consent.
What does that even mean?
***?
What is that?
If we’re both drunk does it count?
Because I am the definition
of awkward.
So a drink in me might
do her a favor.
But just for the first time.
So I’m comfortable enough
to draw my line,
Or the line of hickeys
I left on your neck.
Consent.
Because you’re awkward, too.
A lovely Shade of shy.
But all I could do was look you
in the eyes 
and say you’re beautiful.
Then a tear streamed down your face.
And all that came out was
Are you sure this is okay?
Consent.
Because I’m not comfortable,
the way you’re comfortable.
The way taking off my shirt
feels like letting the sea inside me.
So I’ll keep my pants on,
until the lights are off.
And even then,
my scars are screaming.
It’s ringing in my ear,
my biggest fear.
When she stops and whispers,
are you sure this is okay?
The first time I’ve ever heard
those words.
Was the first time I felt free.
For the first time,
I didn’t feel *****.
When you whisper in my ear.
I thought, Baby!
I love it when you talk
consent to me.
AM Aug 2015
The crowd shouting
and the DJ yelling
to jump or put my hands up
the boombox blaring in my ears
—at least it’s stopping my tears
but I am feeling sleepy
I hate alcohol so I’m drinking Fiji
sitting down and awkwardly lonely
with my mind wondering
how lovely it will be to curled up
inside your warm bed only listening

to the night singing your melody
and fall asleep beside your body
but what a shame
you don’t give that option to me
Short Jul 2015
Kinda like a vampire
I stay out
Till' I get an invite
Definete
And without doubt
That they really want me there

Kinda like a vampire
I see nothing there
In the mirror
Beyond my stare
But why should you care?

Kinda like a vampire
I feel monstrous
And without care
And I **** the life of people here
Mostly, of those for whom I care

And kinda like a vampire
I stare into the night
And I think
Is it really right
That I am here?
It's a little exaggerated... But hope you like it :)
Ryan Galloway Jul 2015
I remember your presence
Now I am a bit guilty and must confess
That this may not be the only thing that I noticed
You are very beautiful
But aside from that
It was your presence
That struck me
Leaving me flustered
I could have stayed there forever
Getting lost in your words
Learning how you looked at the world
And try to make it into a lens
Through which I could look and understand
Everything that  makes you, you
And yet, I don't know if that would be enough
For there is something that I can't label
Something that's not quantifiable
Something that I will never see again
That seems to underlie everything you are
Now I know
In the anxious way with which I hold myself
And the odd way in which I mumble my words
You may not have seen what your presence meant to me
But hopefully one day you will see that it was and is everything
WickedHope Jul 2015
I have to write the things I can't tell you
It's been driving me insane
You treat me like I'm your sister
And you probably think I'm a pain
But thirteen years is too long to scribble your last name in note books
Play pretend with dolls
Daydream about a wedding that will never be reality
It's so unfortunate don't you think
I choose the wrong guys
You choose the wrong girls
They say I don't want to ruin what I have
I say I don't want to lose what could be
But how do I confess my love
To my life-long "buddy"
Yup.
~ ~ ~
Found this in my drafts.
celey Jul 2015
embrace the awkward moments
they're the ones that always
always teach you a lesson
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