More like Her

More like Her

 

 

 

I was freckled

from too many summers on the California coast.

I loved you then

when you belonged to someone else,

when I was full of poetry that voiced itself

in angst and melodic offerings

of Janis Ian songs.

 

How I wished it were me

who had your name,

whose rounded shoulders were as traversed

as the pages of an atlas

within your hands…

 

perhaps if I

had been more like her.

Reviews

[CD Campbell]

There were so many women that I thought I belonged with only to find out later that they were boring and bad in the sack. As poets, we will always have a small part of ourselves thats eternally alone and wanting. Now that I am older, I wouldnt have it any other way. This is a empathetic work we can all relate too. Great poem, Kelly!

[Kelly Scheppers]

I love what you said there, about as poets, we will always have a small part of ourselves that's eternally alone and wanting. Wow, that's pretty deep. It made an impression, as soon as I read it. Thank you!

[Kelly Scheppers]

I may use that in a poem...would you mind?

[CD Campbell]

Nope, its all yours. You realize by giving you this little nugget my romantic clock has been extended another ten days.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Oh nooooo! Ten days? However must I tarry on?

[CD Campbell]

Yeah I know, it'll be tough. But you must go on. Somehow.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I guess it'll make a better woman out of me in the long run. ; )

[Arthur Henn]

I read this a few times. Each time more slowly and the last time I paused as if there was a period at the end of each word. How many times I've wished I was the other person. Each time I wished, it made my heart ache stronger. As for the freckles and red hair. Ok! Well as a street photographer. I have yet got the courage to go up to the stranger on the street and ask for a up-close and personal shot of eyes, nose and face of a beautiful read head freckled woman. I've always thought a natural light complected skin woman without Make-Up was a very natural beauty. And to capture it on film, closeup would be wonderful! Kelly, your poem is extraordinary.

[Kelly Scheppers]

You've made my day, Arthur. This review is quite extraordinary to me! Thank you!

[Arthur Henn]

You are welcome.

[Neville]

These words will eventually be consigned to my favourites.. no need to read between the lines, they are, what they are, precisely freckled and perfect... N

[Kelly Scheppers]

I very much appreciate your kindness and flattery. Thank you, Nev!

[Ken Simm.]

Brought home the taste of so many memories this.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I appreciate that, Ken. Thank you so much!

[Chris]

This has a lingering "bite" to it... and left myst in its wake.

[Kelly Scheppers]

The "bite" for me was the second verse. Every once in a good while, I still feel it. I'm quite thrilled it snared your attention my way! Thanks, Chris!

[Chris]

Kell - you ALWAYS hold my attention - and have from the first time you paused me in my tracks.

[Kelly Scheppers]

You've been with me since the very beginning, all of ten years. How lucky am I ?

[Chris]

It's taken me that long to remember how to breathe... and perhaps another ten to want to?

[Perdition]

Soft, tragic and as smooth as the thought we make alone, dripping from the moon. This makes me want to sit in a dark room and digest all the flavors that emanate from it. You have every tool the reader desires and even more you have that unsettling heartache. The one that never leave but instead grows deeper in your appreciation of being dead long before the last breath is released. Freckles are so endearing yet we continually curse them until we see their rare beauty. My first time as well and wonderfully awe struck!

[Kelly Scheppers]

My freckles and I thank you for a most compassionate review!

[Lydia Shutter]

Wow....the emotion really packs a punch in this one, Kelly! You know what? You were better off not being more like "her"....you are you and I am glad you are. Your reference to Janis Ian is one I enjoyed...."Society's Child" was always a favorite of mine. Even back then, we were poets! Good one, my friend. Lydi**

[Kelly Scheppers]

How good it is to see you, Lydi. Thank you so much!

[lightsong]

I know my dear Kelly that You would never wish to be anyone but You, but sometimes that fragile part inside us stings and stings... the need, the want, the pain, the memories, the Love... what words are more touching than Yours here, they are aching over the page, and they are making our hearts ache, Your original style always "Yours" no one else but "Yours".

[Kelly Scheppers]

I think the person I am now emerged from who I was, then. Many thanks and much love, Ghounwah!

[red93]

Oh yes Kelly I like this, and I like the way you have voiced that yearning in such economic and yet melodic terms - well done.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I appreciate your kindness of words. Thank you!

[Dara]

This reminds me of the Rolling Stones song, "You Can't Always Get What You What", which, if we live long enough happens to us all. In my life I look back and realize that I may have not always gotten what I wanted but what I probably needed. So many times I wondered what life would have been like with a different partner, different husband. Where would I be today? One thing I do know is it boils down to the choices we make. Kelly, you write about these deep emotions with such beauty and grace. One may even forget how brokenhearted you may have felt at the time. Just loved this write!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Having your perspective as someone I’ve known for more than just a couple of years, really means a great deal to me. Thank you, Dara!