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

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

This immediately brought to mind the movie, Grease 2, with Maxwell Caulfield and Michelle Pfeiffer. I can see her sitting in the diner with him, dipping her french fries into ketchup, while utter disgust was reflected on his face. Your poem really spins one back to a time of youth and innocence, and I would most definitely say that he remembers.

[MsJewel]

I never saw that movie, but I'll have to netflicks it - I have a feeling I would love it. Thanks so much for your very kind comment. Have a beautiful evening. :) Julie

[Valeigh Starr]

I love the writing style, with all the imagery and the consistent "I/he/it was" entrances. The experience is a little to recent for me not to recall my own version with some bitterness, but I think the tone I hear in your writing is healing. Strangely enough, I'm at a loss for descriptive words. Suffice to say, I have grown a bit by reading this poem, and I love the way you wrote it!

[MsJewel]

Thank you for your lovely comment. Time heals all wounds, so hopefully you will be able to write about your experience soon. :) Julie

[R. L. Hill]

WOW! I adore this! Truly. Such sweet agony of first love.

[MsJewel]

Thank you sweetie. :) Julie

[Lydia Shutter]

I remember this poem from way back when....you posted it in another universe that shall not be named! :) The reminiscing in this one is enchanting. We all need to fall in love with a "bad boy" at least once in our lives....and you know what? I'll bet he still remembers the girl climbing on his black and silver Harley. Wonderful words, my friend. Lydi**

[MsJewel]

Thank you Lydi. I thought I had lost this one forever and then I found parts of it yesterday when I was going through an old notebook. I lost a lot of poetry when I decided to join the real poets and writers at WC. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one. :) Julie

[Weeping Angel]

I love this! It's so cute!

[MsJewel]

Thank you! :) Julie

[Weeping Angel]

how did you get the idea for it?

[MsJewel]

It is a true story - every single word -
my first love.

[Trace]

I am so glad you finally found this in your notes. I was afraid it was lost forever, and that would have been such a shame. Your memories that you share with us are so sweet and fresh, and tell of a wonderful childhood, and growing up. This reminded me of when I was 16 and all the girls I gave rides to on my motorcycle and how they would hold on tight, and I was a hero. What is it about a guy and motorcycles that girls love? I wish I had have known back then, I would have kept the bike.

This is one of your best and one of my favorite pieces of your writing.
I look forward to enjoying another year of reading your brilliant poetry my dearest friend.

Happy New Year,
Trace

[MsJewel]

You are still my hero - even without the motorcycle sweetie. I'm so glad you like this one - it is one of my favorites too - perhaps because it is a favorite memory.
Hugs, Julie

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i am sure he does...how could he forget you?

I kept humming "leader of the pack" while I was reading this....you surely set a mood and tone with this piece...opposites do attract...don't they?

I remember "grounded"

I would get grounded, but then that same night my friends would come looking for me to go out...and my dad would give in and let me go...so much for grounded.

[MsJewel]

I wish my dad had talked to yours...lol
grounded was exiled to my grandparents house - but that's another poem
Thank you for your wonderful comment Jacob and Happy New Year!
:) Julie

[Josie E. Cook M. A.]

This is a sweet memory of a time in a girl's life that makes a lasting imprint that reoccurs in sleep and day dreams--always musing over what happened with him.

[MsJewel]

He was my first love, so I won't forget him - but I don't think I was his first love. A sweet memory indeed. Thank you for your sweet comment. Have a beautiful day :) Julie

[Josie E. Cook M. A.]

You never forget your first love! Thanks! :)

[icelandicblue]

I could see you, feel the cool vibe from him and your flush of youth. There is nothing quite like that dangerous boy when you are young- when cool really is cool- and everything is so damn sweet and we believe that adventure awaits us with a smile and a tip of a hat. My guess is he remembers and maybe even regrets the end of it all. It's beautiful, sweet and breathes a bit of jasmine and magnolia through my snow covered windows. You never forget what is was like to be young and free (and eventually grounded).

He was bottle rockets on the fourth of July
French kisses and third base
on a Saturday night

Most definitely too cool for ketchup- he wasn't planning on wearing that that night. This is just so wistful and beautiful and that stanza is outstanding.

[MsJewel]

I'm thrilled you enjoyed it. Have a beautiful day! :) Julie

[Dhaye]

We cannot take away such memories from our mind and heart. Somehow, we really wonder if the person you are thinking still remembers the past.

Nice story of young love. Too cool!

[MsJewel]

Thanks so much Dhaye. :) Julie