Vanilla Advances

Vanilla Advances

 

 

root beer floats

and pigtails tugged

garnering frowns

then smiles

teasing glances

from bar stools

outside his eyes against the glass

a young rush

of heartbeats

 

she feels a brain freeze

the love freeze

 

she wishes he would enter her world

but he moves on down the street

combing his greaser's locks

in triumph

 

the sidewalk bandit

only 13 years old,

future hearts to melt

as the root beer

gradually loses its fizz

 

and she lays her quarter on the counter

the rest of her life

a "what if?"

 

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

10/8/23

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

OH MY....how I loved this poem. I remember root beer floats and sitting on a turning stool in the "Malt Shop". Girls giggling and afraid to admit they like a certain someone. Guys mooning over a girl, but too cool to tell her. Yes, "what if" does haunt one's life, Jacob. Fantastic! Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you so much, Lydi.
j.

[emmajoygreen]

Guess that every era has its near similar scene, sadness and memory, jacob. But as always, you draw your readers into a world that at this moment you recall with all kinds of thoughts and feelings. Your pen is a veritable time machine, sir. I discover then value so much when I read your words.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

a time machine? mmm Yes, I do tend to backtrack with much of my writes...Thank you, em,
j.

[emmajoygreen]

Tis said one's past is a present to the future!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

You own a great deal of understanding, my friend.

[emmajoygreen]

:) Am like a rolling stone when it comes to trivia jacob!

[Kelly Scheppers]

I never went for the bad boy type, the strong silent ones always snared my gaze. Oh, the thrill of being 13 years old! Compared to kids that age today, I still believe we had it better! ...root beer floats included!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I agree we did, Kelly...yes, we did.
j.

[AYVID N]

I was so immersed into this world you created here then returned to reality, wondering where those days have gone. You take the reader there, with your paintbrushed words. The view is awesome.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you taking a look at the view, my friend,
j.

[W. Barrett Munn]

This reminds me of our era song, Young Love, These days it is every song by the teeny bopper crowds crowding the concert tours.
They say for every boy and girl there's just one love in this old world and I know I've found mine.

Winston

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Sonny James....I have that single...great song.

[fallon]

Reading a poem about a soda shop crush is just about the best thing I could imagine right now! It was full of youthful desire and a timeless story.
It was a joy to read!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, fallon...glad you enjoyed.
j.

[D. Mansfield]

The handsome, bad boy wins everytime, oh well

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thanks, D,
j.

[John the Baptist]

She may feel deflated, but she just dodged a bullet.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, John,
j.

[NormaZ]

A glance at a different time, but still the teenage angst is timeless I think. I love how you can pull the reader back in time with just your first two lines. You can see the swagger in the boy’s walk. A great job setting the scene.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your very kind review, NormaZ.
j.

[Richard🖌]

Puppy loves 'n crushes,

Playin' it cool, makin' 'em drool, struttin' your stuff's never enuff … 'til the right one comes along and all the world turns to song. But, now, "she's" playin' it cool, you cocky fool!
Seems there's always that "special" one never forgotten who'll always be a wistful "what if?" And, even now I still wonder....?

Another memory teaser from soda fountain days … love it!
Thanks again, Jacob! ⁓ Richard🖌

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thanks again, Richard...a part of me really misses the old days and the simpler life.
Life without AI and other technical difficulties.
I liked my old Underwood typewriter...
tap tap tap.
j.

[Richard🖌]

Hey!
I have an Underwood, too … kept in its case now in the attic.
Now, I have a soft, silent keyboard, no ribbons, whiteout paper, and sticking keys; not all modern gadgets are all that bad, eh?