The Street

The street seemed so much smaller now

The grime and the smell were still the same though

Engrained like the people who lived there

It was the only thing that never left him

She stayed at twenty three

One tough girl

Christ, he still remembers the day she knocked him out

Slightly concussed, he proposed to her

Not bad for a twelve year old

She couldn’t stop laughing

She wasn’t marrying no wimp that day

In fact, her daily ritual was knocking him down

Mum, is love painful

If it’s true love, it can be

It was, his head was testament to that

He just kept going back for more

To give her, her due, she was happy to give it to him

One day he told her straight. I don’t care how many times you knock me down. I’m going to be your boyfriend. He waited for the punch

She kissed him

He fell down again

She starting laughing

It felt like the greatest feeling ever

They became inseparable after that

Young love had conquered

One day she told him she was going away

I’m going with you

It’s not that kind of going away

Is there another kind

It’s the dying kind of going away

Yes, but you won't die for a long time

A year the doctors said

That didn’t make sense to him

We’ll just have to make the most of it, she said

Make the most of it

The most precious year of his young life

She died the way she lived.

Demanding he did the best he could with his life

There were times when he really struggled

Times he thought of joining her

The pain in his head always changed that

Even in death she got to him

The years passed by

He made good

She would be proud of him

The street seemed so much smaller now

The grime and the smell were still the same though

Engrained like the people who lived there

It was good to be home...

Reviews

[Barbara Walker]

So much said in so few words
Not easy to do. This speaks to love, commitment, sorrow, loss and memories. Enjoyed reading.

[Paul Bell]

Thanks Barbara.

[Zoya]

Ah, a truly heartfelt piece. No pain greater than the one felt on passing away of a loved one. Very beautifully written!

[Paul Bell]

Too sad at this time of the year.

[Zoya]

As it is, predicament is unpredictable. Better to be prepared, always.

[BBP]

Did you write this about me? lol I love this , awesome story and nice twist

[Paul Bell]

Could just see you shooting me at twelve.
Short term relationship. lol

[Beccy]

The title is perfect, the grit and determination of young love shown at it's very best.

The tone is almost sanquine, but never deflects from the determination that love will out.

I really, really enjoyed this.

Beccy.

[Paul Bell]

Thanks Beccy. Where you been hiding.

[Beccy]

Under a bushel. :))

[Relic]

I didn't expect such a touching piece of writing this afternoon. You've put a story to poem, injecting it with an emotion that affects the reader. Bravo for a great story/poem.

[Paul Bell]

It's a good time of year for touching poetry.
Glad you liked it.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A sad tale indeed Paul but full of the stench of reality and heart break that many do endure. Well put in an encapsulated trop through growing up and early death.

[Paul Bell]

Yip, love and life are full of boulders.

[Gee]

Perhaps my new favourite of yours Paul, ain't nothing like true love, nothing at all. If my good lady popped her clogs, no-one could take her place, would want to with OUR photos everywhere.
Tis a beautifully sad piece of writing

[Gee]

OUR.....not me and you, thought I'd better clarify.....nope not butter, I'm Gee not Ghee

[Paul Bell]

Festive time of the year for you and the good lady.

[free-writer]

I'm in tears. I was not expecting that ending but I was truly invested. Powerful and beautiful sentiment to love and loss.

[Paul Bell]

Hankies on the way, free writer.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

This got me in my soul Paul. Did not expect the ending and am amazed by the beauty of this poem. “Even in death she got to him”- heart wrenching... Touching, tender, real, devastating, uplifting. Master Class work about love and loss....Kudos.

[Paul Bell]

Only a woman can get to you that way.

[Mrudula Rani]

That is a love story with a heartbreaking turn of events!

[Paul Bell]

The best kind of love