Tongue-Tied

He watched as she passed each morning,

Same time, each day of the week,

But his lips were dry and his tongue was tied

And he found he couldn’t speak.

She had such a heavenly beauty,

That he’d raised her up on high,

So how could he, a poor mortal seek

Such a goddess, up in the sky?

 

Her hair the colour of ripened corn

Her lips the pink of the rose,

The dimple sitting in either cheek

And the tilt at the end of her nose.

Her eyes would flash as she passed him

In that wonderful glide and sway,

He almost spoke, but he always choked,

And cursed as she walked away.

 

While she kept steadily walking,

She never would look around,

Though the sight of the young Adonis made

Her heart pit-patter and pound.

He looked like a Grecian statue,

From the Pantheon of the Gods,

Why would he spare a glance at her

With her features all at odds?

 

For the blonde was out of a bottle,

And her eyes, they must have looked scared,

She tried to appear so nonchalant

And not that she really cared.

But she walked that way each morning

Just to get a glimpse of him,

Hoping he’d say one word to her

That would be encouraging.

 

The days passed on through the Summer

Then Autumn had come to stay,

And he still stood each morning

And she still walked that way,

But he paced in desperation,

Chewed his fingers down to the bone,

‘When would he pluck the courage up,’

She thought, as she passed his home.

 

They seemed to be making progress,

For they’d nod as she walked by,

But he didn’t see as she raised her eyes

Frustrated, up at the sky,

She’d put on a brighter lipstick,

Mascara, as black as coal,

While he despaired as she disappeared

At the emptiness in his soul.

 

He practised before the mirror,

And tried out a ‘How are you?’

But shook his head at the words he said,

It simply wouldn’t do!

What if he came straight out and cried

The thoughts he felt in his heart,

‘I’ve fallen so much in love with you

That it’s tearing me apart!’

 

While she broke down in the ladies room

The moment she got to work,

Her friends came gathering round to say,

‘He must be a total jerk!’

But she flared back to defend him,

‘I think that he fancies me,

He stands and nods like a Grecian God

But his face is misery!’

 

The morning came that he steeled himself

And walked right into her path,

While she stood still as she broke a heel

And sat with him on the grass.

‘You can’t go to work like that,’ he said,

‘My name, by the way, is Bill.’

‘I often wondered,’ she smiled at him,

‘And mine, by the way, is Jill.’

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[ANTO]

Im sooo glad serendipty stepped in and broke the shoe heel (Oh my ! I hope the shoes weren't Christian Louboutin) - if not I may have had to do it myself.

You captured that angst that hearts who belong together initially feel, the fear of rejection; often the prime mover and the frustration here to a T, David. Its every rom-com and coming of age drama in one poem. Stylish and clever DLP. Thanks for the RR my friend.
:)))

[A Soap Mess Stories]

Glad to find this had a happy ending!

[Devanshu Rajput]

Just got this while picking up your random works, to enjoy poems.

What, a lovely love story, told Mr. David! "Bill and Jill", it seems they have been made for each other in heaven itself.

""Her heart pit-patter and pound."" This line still rings in my head,

Thanks for sharing the beautiful story, narrated so flawlessly.

Just got to see more of your stuff.

Devanshu

[R Smith]

Happy ending David and so good to see it, I lived this when i was 18, it never ended the way of your poem so i guess i'm happy to read this poem and wish it could have been me, thanks for the pleasure of such good writing :)

[MomzillaNC]

This one is very sweet. Rather out of the norm for you, but I like so much!

[Avinash]

Beautiful story. Reminded of teenage affairs we had or did not have.
Sorry for catching up late with your work but things were lately quite hectic with me.

[Marie]

It takes a woman, generlaly to get things moving. I'll bet Jill broke that heel on purpose--probably sawed it halfway through before she left the house,

[Lyndy]

I really love this poem, it's really amazingly written. :)

[Einstein Noodle]

great story of love .. so much to relate to and give a chuckle .. Bill and Jill eh!? have to say i think this :
"Her heart pit-patter and pound." is very very good! :)
E.

[Barbz]

He saw her passing by each day, a beauty, so he thought. Getting no response from her, he was overwrought. How would he approach her, what was he to say? Sounds like tales of yesteryear, not bold, as today. Now she had similar thoughts in mind, a subtle kind of flirt.She had an eye for him, as well, more makeup wouldn't hurt! Your story ends like fairie tales, that give us all a thrill. Two less lonely people
You describe, lovely Jill, and Bill. A light and lovely read....I'm sure we can all find our yesteryears right here. Barbz