A Crying Shame

In all perception of the truth there is a divine ecstasy, an inexpressible delirium of joy, as when a youth embraces his betrothed virgin. - Thoreau

a curious teen with a hard bulge between my legs

her with her long, silky hair across the street

i rang her bell one day after school asking if i could borrow her father's playboy magazine that i'd heard her telling someone about on the bus ride home

she asks if i would like to look at it there with her

afraid and nervous, i answer, "no thanks,  i'll take it home and bring it back later"

what a shame that youth is wasted on the young and witless

Author's Note

"T'he youth gets together his materials to build a bridge to the moon, or, perchance, a palace or temple on the earth, and, at length, the middle-aged man concludes to build a woodshed with them." - Thoreau

Reviews

[Mariej]

It was the great Irish author and dramatist George Bernard Shaw who said that "Youth Is wasted on the young" and how right he was. You can't put an old head on young shoulders! But there are many missed opportunities in life and it may be for the better, we will never know for sure. Teenage years are a time of discovery, of learning, of obeying our bodies, feeling fear of what is normal and that fear causes us to run away! Some teenagers are more advanced than others, but both arrive at the same place when the time is individually right for them. You have encapsulated the teenage years so finely in this succinct poem, dear poet. Have no regrets about the past! Anything that is meant to be, WILL be, Fate will have its way! Great write expressing the feelings and fears of being a teenager and a really good choice of graphic to complement your words. Thank you for sharing, Pete...

[Poetic Beauty]

There are many times that youth is wasted on the young and less than courageous. I think many of us have had moments like these in our lives.

[Pete]

regrets can be terrible things to get stuck in.

[Poetic Beauty]

I try not get caught in regrets but rather learn from the lesson or simply move forward

[Thomas W Case]

Lol. So true. I was at a nude beach at 13 when a beautiful naked girl rode up on horseback and asked if I wanted a ride. I said no. True story. Great work, Pete.

[Pete]

wow. lol. stupid is as stupid does.

[Betty Hermelee]

A missed opportunity indeed, but boys are immature at that age compared to girls...and the timing of these interludes is always a question...with each individual as they grow; when is the timing right???
A very nice piece Pete....
Warmly, B

[Pete]

good point. we do tend to let our johnson's do the thinking. no easy answer to that question - a complex matter for sure. i probably couldn't have handled it. hindsight is always 20/20.

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome Pete
Warmly, B🌷

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Love and time make fools of everyone whether in the awkward throes of adolescence or the grip of arthritic old age. Only the names change but the dance remains the same.

[Pete]

i can't argue with any of that.

"Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this." - Thoreau

thanks for weighing in fgf.

[Gee]

What a shame indeed. Remember aged 16 having a slightly older girl grind against me during the course of two slow dances, I left the dance floor with an ever growing stain!
Hope you are well Pete

[Pete]

i probably would have exploded if that happened to me. lol. oh to be young again. a distant memory, i never liked going to school dances - too shy and uncomfortable. many unfulfilled crushes on different girls in my classes though. thanks for the good share gee. keep cool.