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

[Diana]

Nice and nostalgic. I can almost sense the wind whipping through your hair. I bet a boy like that wouldn't be any dad's favorite subject.

[MsJewel]

My dad didn't like him at all...and I'm sure he was right. (just not at the time). Thank you for stopping by and commenting. Have a lovely evening Diana. :) Julie

[Baby Ricochet]

Holy Christ jewel. I have a crush on this guy now and I'm straight. No wonder this poem is#1 . It confuses sexual identities.

[MsJewel]

LOL! Thank you for the wonderful comment and the smile this evening. Hugs, Julie

[Antwannette]

Love it. It's more than a poem. it's a story. I love the title

[MsJewel]

Thank you very much~ :) Julie

[JKHughes]

Beautiful. Fantastic story and the 'too cool for ketchup' line, kicks you in the teeth. As we all know someone like that. The last stanza gave me chills too. Congratulations.

[MsJewel]

Thank you for your wonderful comment and for the friend request. I'm looking forward to reading your poetry :) Julie

[Valeriya Nahirnyak]

AWN so lovely, I'm sure he does sweetheart! (:

[MsJewel]

Thank you Valerie. :) Julie

[Valeriya Nahirnyak]

You're welcome, Julie!

[Vidya Bacchus]

Why are we all attracted to the bad boys I wonder.Their allure is unforgettable and their smile is like the sweetest sin.I hear you Julie.This is truly splendid and made me smile.Indeed I wonder if they remember us .....:)

[MsJewel]

I'm thrilled you enjoyed this one. It is one of my favorite memories...painful as it was at the time. Yes, it is those bad boys that get us good girls every time. ( I still love the bad boys ) :) Julie

[Vidya Bacchus]

Well me too lol.They are a hard habit to break:)

[TL Boehm]

love this. LOVE THIS. The things we are - too cool for ketchup. I know exactly what that means. The imagery in this is amazing. Well done.

[MsJewel]

Thanks so much for the wonderful comment! Have a beautiful weekend :) Julie

[Mary]

It's a great narrative, Jewels. This program has put an extra apostrophe in the keep riding quote, I think.

[MsJewel]

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a wonderful comment. I'll make that correction. Have a beautiful day :) Julie

[MsJewel]

It's beautiful, I love the nostalgic feel, your quill brings here to your readers, aaah! what a vision, I could imagine myself here too my sweet friend.... watching movies from the car, in an open air cinema for example... a boyfriend with smooth hair lol!!! gaves me heart smiles!! thanks so much for penning this, it will go into my favs.... love love and love.

- Elisa

[MsJewel]

Thank you Elisa. Just sharing a memory of first love..
Happy New Year my sweet friend.
Hugs, Julie

Oh, and let me fall in love with it.... sigh.... :) your pen always makes this romantic heart swoon away lol :D Happy New Year to you too love! all my best wishes to you!!! hugs from the Netherlands xxxxx

[-Scribe in Style-]

I love the way you have wrapped the memory in words and, more specifically a list of things that are descriptive of the moment and person. The way the poem leas from him to her is really expressive and brings out romantic bliss. A beautiful love story and an unforgettable experience. Well written, I enjoyed reading.

[MsJewel]

Thank you for taking the time to read and leave a lovely comment. :) Julie