First Love

(Picture Credit - Students by ExploreYourDegree com)

It started when she said Hello

Over forty years ago.

She was the only one to do so I suppose.

My heart was twanged

And I wanted her so bad.

Still it pains me so today,

I couldn’t find the words to say.

All I got was unrequited-love sick blues.

I couldn’t eat a thing

For weeks on end.

At a party she sat alone,

Seemingly aloof,

‘Til someone else stepped in...

Hindsight says she didn’t like me anyway:

She criticised my teenage spots

And the way I danced.

I wasted so much time on her,

Spurning others for my senseless crush.

Giving up only when her long distance boyfriend appeared.

Since then I’ve always guarded

Against getting emotionally involved

Before being socially involved.

It has been said that I’m aloof,

Staying on the fringe,

Avoiding commitment.

You have to take that risk

They say,

There is no other way.

I’ve seen the pain that “Love” can bring,

Romantic songs I will not sing.

I’d rather stay here on the shelf,

Peacefully living with myself.

Paul Butters