Too Cool for Ketchup

~ memories ~

art ~ Janet Hill

 

 

 

I was cherry lip gloss and a pink bikini

Diet Coke, ruffled skirts

and summer kisses from nervous high school boys

with sun burnt noses

 

I was a typical sixteen year old girl

 

He was torn up levis and a leather jacket

messy blonde hair, Marlboro cigarettes

and a Rolling Stones tattoo

on his left forearm

 

He was dangerous

 

I was holding hands and French fries with ketchup

on a Saturday night

 

He was too cool for ketchup

 

He was bottle rockets on the fourth of July

French kisses and third base

on a Saturday night

 

We were inseparable

 

He was not my father’s favorite subject

 

He was the boy

throwing tiny pebbles at my window

I was the girl

climbing on the back of his black and silver Harley

for a midnight ride…

 

The wind in my hair

The feel of his soft cotton tee shirt against my cheek

as I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist

 

“Someday Jewels, we will keep riding

and never, ever look back”

 

I was grounded for the rest of the summer

 

I was the girl crying at her bedroom window

He was the boy that looked back

only once

to blow me a kiss good bye

 

And 25 years later

I wonder

if he remembers

Reviews

[stars are far]

This is so lovable.. The story implied in this poem is really so great.. And yes.. he only looked once and blow a kiss.. thats what they do..then what? they forget who are you even, they don't bother themselves to even think about you or what they've done... I dont know why im so against them.. im sorry if im being on my side..not accepting them..but thats well done.. i loved it

[MsJewel]

I'm thrilled you enjoyed this one - it is one of my favorite poems and favorite memories. :) Julie

[Danielle]

Oh the fleeting love experienced in youth. Very beautiful scenes played out here, cotton candy and ice cream cones falling to the floor all at once. Very well done. Love the addition of artwork. Im guessing it was inspiration for the piece?

[MsJewel]

Thank you for your very kind comment Danielle. I love Janet Hill's art - one of my favs. Actually the inspiration for this poem came from real life - my first love - my first "bad boy". He still has a special place in my heart. :) Julie

[Green]

I like how you took a pretty common story and made it interesting and captivating. My favorite part would have to be how you used the descriptions of the people all the way through instead of just narrating the events. :)

[Carly]

Love this! Especially the title, and how it plays into the poem. I like the story within the poem, it's one we've heard before, but you describe it in such a real and fun way. The only thing I really had an issue with was this line, "I was a typical sixteen year old girl." It's a little too obvious for me. I was really into the poem, and it was making me think until I got there, and then I kind of filled in the rest of the story. I think changing it to something a little less obvious would keep your readers enthralled in the poem, and make them put more thought into it. The rest of the imagery is excellent and really on point. Great job!

[MsJewel]

Thanks so much for your suggestion. I will definitely take a look at it. I'm thrilled you liked the poem. It is a wonderful memory for me. Thanks again :) Julie

[Al R. Arce]

This was really cool! It brought a smile to my face from the moment I read the title!

[MsJewel]

Thank you! I'm thrilled you enjoyed it! :) Julie

[Eli Lane]

This is my favorite of your poems. It reminds me slightly of one of my favorite writers. I love the grunge/glam feel of it. Cherry lipgloss, sunburnt noses, french kisses and ketchup. I love it all an will definitely be keeping up with your writing!

[MsJewel]

Thank you Eli. I look forward to reading your writing! :) Julie

[Twisted Words (Tom)]

Thanks for this glimpse. I'm quite sure the people we want to remember us, do. I just hope they don't remember me as goofy.... I'm not like that anymore.... :-|

[MsJewel]

I wouldn't call you goofy. It's always nice to see you! :) Julie

[Pushkar Prabhat]

Wow! Great story........great poem!
Anyone who ever knew you is very lucky......you honour them with such beautiful poems!!
Amazing!
:)

[MsJewel]

You are very sweet. Thank you for your wondeful comment :) Julie

[adreamer]

You always have such a beautiful way in expressing your memories of someone who has touch you're life so beautifully all of us will always remember that first love and that first kiss too, I do. :) Larry

[MsJewel]

Thank you Larry :) Julie