Crush

 

 

 

 

I think I was nine, or maybe ten, when,

   crying myself to sleep one night,

I heard a whisper tell;

   “It's just a crush, simple infatuation,

no more, I promise,

   it will not last,

now, sleep thee well"

 

A crush!? What is this "crush'"?

   Simple infatuation!?

Oh, that there were such a thing!

   That these feelings should be so casually dismissed,

and not one mention of love dost thou bring; please,

   What of love?

why not speak of love?

 

She said,

   " 'tis not love, for

you are yet too young for so sordid a business,

   now, pray you cease with this tearful lament"

I still say you were the only girl who could ever make me sigh,

                       without my own throat's consent.

 

Now I am eighty-nine, or maybe,

   four score and ten,

and I beg of you, 

   permit me a whisper tell;

   With this creaking breath,

before this, my own sweet death,

   some truths I've learnt o'er well

 

Promises, are fragile comforts,

   yet, some words fracture never;

Love?

   I may yet be, still too young for so sordid a business

   but, some crushes,

last forever!

 

Reviews

[K. Hicks]

You have a way with writing such emotion into your words, this is a beautiful timeless piece!

[Andrew S. Loveland]

Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated.

[abby2011]

I LOVE your writing!!!!!!

[Anastasia Starlena]

This was a very sweet piece. How do we know whether it is love or just a crush? Absolutely an amazing piece.

[emmajoy]

i LOVE THIS!

Reminscences always get to me, love does the same... here there is both and more. Nine, first love? No, no, not first infatuation but LOVE, a feeling that eats up even the young.

Your words are gentle but softly demanding a hearing: ' I still say you were the only girl who could ever make me sigh, / without my own throat's consent. ' ~ what incredible words.

And what a great last stanza!

[Cam]

I like it, I can't just explain how I like it though.. Weird, no?
I think I really mostly like how your voice tells of just a crush, but you believe it is love, and I wonder... why parents and everyone else always tell kids that they are too young to be in love... It's sad.

[Last Lying Look]

I really liked this.
It seemed sweet in a way.

[Angel's Lady]

This reminds me of part of the poem, The Shropshire Lad, by A. E. Housman...

When I was one-and-twenty
I heard a wise man say,
"Give crowns and pounds and guineas
But not your heart away;
Give pearls away and rubies
But keep your fancy free."
But I was one-and-twenty,
No use to talk to me.

When I was one-and-twenty
I heard him say again,
"The heart out of the bosom
Was never given in vain;
'Tis paid with sighs a plenty
And sold for endless rue."
And I am two-and-twenty
And oh, 'tis true, 'tis true.

Great write. Nicely done!

[JohnL]

I read work like this (and other of your work) and feel the amateur I am. You have asked to be my friend. Yes! But I warn you, I am out to learn from you and will pillage your skills. Never though will I plagiarise your words - That's a promise,

JohnL