What I Do Not Love About You...

An unlove poem

A gentleman in the bakery

          with a racing form in the back pocket

          of his faded jeans

 

stopped me short

 

And simple recollections gathered

behind my dry-out-in-public eyes

 

~ Sunday morning diner breakfasts

~ silly songs you’d sing

~ dancing to Daddy’s Little Girl

 

Warmed on this cold autumn morning

          to the point of burn

 

I loved everything about you, but

 

…I do not love

          missing you…

Reviews

[kublakhan27]

You have taken some simple phrases, twisted them, wrung them out, and collected every drop of emotion and poignancy that could be derived from them. The closing five lines are near-devastatingly emotional, especially in how the previous images and sentiments culminate in them. This is a sad and cathartic piece by your standards, but one of your most powerful for that same reason. Great work my friend.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you for your thoughtful insights, K. I walk this path rarely, but when it beckons I must follow...

[Jack...]

So sad Rita, but some wonderful memories that you can carry with you forever.

[Rita L. Sev]

True, and I do feel their warmth... thank you, Jack.

[SyberRose]

The more you love them the harder it is...a sweet one indeed Rita but you have a lot of nice memories:)

[Rita L. Sev]

I am so blessed to have these memories, you are right, Rose. Thank you.

[Lydia Shutter]

((((Rita))))) this one found its way into my heart and soul. We will always be "daddy's little girl" no matter how old we are and anything can bring back a memory. The warmth of your love and the pain of your loss is expressed so beautifully in this poem. lydi**

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Lydi...

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

It is never fun missing someone... and those memories are so bittersweet.
a very well done poem.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Dale.

[Angel]

This brought a tear to my eye. Oh, how I miss being "Daddy's Little Girl"...
Sweet, sad, lovely poem, my friend...

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Angel... yes, that's a great position to be, but so hard to lose...

[Frieda P]

Oh it's so unsettling when that happens, something out of the blue and wham, you're back there again, good memories, and bittersweet reverie, great job at an un-love poem Rita, but it's all about love, isn't it?

[Rita L. Sev]

Yes, indeed it is, Frieda. I recall that, on the day my father died, my brother said "The thing that will get us through this is the thing that makes it so hard... that we loved him so much." He was right... (and I rarely say that about my brother!) :)

[Joyce S. Greene]

Your poem pulls at my heart strings, Rita. I lost my Dad not quite five years ago and I can't tell you how often I see a man who even slightly resembles him, and I have to look again to see that, no, it's not he but someone who just looks a little like him. And once again I feel the loss and the sadness. Will it ever be any different, I have no idea. So I know precisely what you are speaking of and admire the way you have captured it. Very well done.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Joyce. It is a hole in the heart that cannot be filled...

[Sheila Kline]

It is so very difficult when we have these "smack me in the face" reminders of someone from the past! This is very good Rita! I am sorry for the loss and the reminders that let us know how very painful it is for you!!

Is this about your dear Dad? You mention dancing to Daddy's Little Girl so it makes me wonder - though it could be a lost boyfriend too. Your pain certainly is evident!!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Sheila. Yes, as most of my poems that deal with loss, this is about my Dad. We were very close, and though my family has moved forward, he is with us in these moments...

[Baby Ricochet]

Interesting story and images. Good poem.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Mark.