The Token , two hearts one love... (kleenex required)

explanation within.

This was a challenge picture... Just an empty locket...It started out as something very different...a poem about betrayal but as you know sometimes the muse grabs the pen and takes right out of our hand.......This took a very unexpected turn as I wrote and my favorite song came on the radio....It somehow split between years and decades and became two separate poems conjoined by love, time and circumstance.......If you have never seen the video "Just a Dream" by Carrie Underwood (and even if you have)** please take three minutes grab the box of Kleenex and watch the video after you have read both poems for the full emotional impact of this presentation...

Thank you., shallimarRose

THE TOKEN

(Two Hearts One Love)


In tiny box

in the bottom of her old dresser drawer

beneath her satins and lace
she kept it safe

wrapped in memories and tied with tears

was a tarnished remainder of one love

a little thing really no bigger

than a copper penny

a small token once given

so long ago

It was the night of their senior prom

she was all dressed in pale blue

the color of his eyes

her body trembled at the sound

the doorbell ring

he was there

she was ready

tonight would be the biggest night

of their young lives

she topped the stair with grace

he walked up and met her half way

a small embrace

hand in hand he led her down

where he gave it to her

right there in front of her parents

a small silver locket

it was tied onto her corsage

"I LOVE YOU”

he dropped right there to one knee

he asked her to marry him that night

and she said yes

and her mother cried

and her father held back tears

there was no ring

just this tiny locket

two small conjoined hearts

silver in color

etched with love

the locket was empty

the two small hearts awaited

they awaited the day of the wedding

when two pictures would be added

one in black the other in white

bride and groom

pictures that she would cherish

hold forever in her hearts

and near her heart

she would someday show this locket

to children and grandchildren

and tell them of this day

when he dropped to one knee

and this locket gave

as a token of his undying love

bj smith

aka shallimarRose


******* *******

Two hearts
(the token part 2)


The day was set

the timing planned

forever they would walk

through life hand and hand

the venue was chosen

invitations were sent

something blue something new

something borrowed was lent

the day planned outdoors

would be sunny and warm

he would wear his uniform

she a white veil

and a gown of white lace

she dreamed of that day

and the smile on his face

****

but somewhere between

his life and her dream

came the duty that called

him to arms

a marine

and this locket

two hearts

as the way this poem started

were left empty and bare

she was left broken hearted

she never did marry

no one could compare

to the memory left

by that boy on the stair

sixty years to the day

since the locket he gave

and they placed today

beside her in her grave....

bj smith 

aka shallimarRose

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more shallimarRose Poetry titles visit my table of contents in my blog...

 

Bits of Me...Table of Contents by title...

 

Author's Note

love your thoughts on both the poems and this emotional video. thank you. shallimarRose

Reviews

[Traci]

One word.....AMAZING! This is definitely one of my favorites of yours! It reminded me a little of a "Notebook" kind of style, written so eloquently as you captured the emotions throughout. The first part portrayed the perfect kind of love we all hope for, high school sweethearts, with big plans for the future. The second portrayed "somewhere between his life and her dream", a bittersweet ending. As for the song, always been one of my favorites, still shed a tear or two every time I hear it, and will always think of this poem when I hear the song :)

[shallimarRose]

Thank you Traci.. on my other site many kept this to their favorites or in their notebooks.. I loved the movie "The notebook" xo Rose

[Riding the Rainbow]

amazing poems..you touched my heart..

[shallimarRose]

Thank you for reading. Always it is an honor when a poet can touch someone in a profound way. shallimarRose

[icelandicblue]

The entire piece is imbued with emotion. It reminds me of Nicholas Sparks. The song is beautiful and i am thoroughly moved by this montage.

[shallimarRose]

Thank you Blue.. I am always pleased when something I put together can move someone or touch a heart. xo Rose

[Clara]

A very moving write.

I liked the naivety in this. It was vulnerable and tender with the concept of young love.
It also pertains to the idea of a fairytale. You meet the love of your life, fall in love, get married and live happily ever after.

My friend passed away last week. He served in the army, got married last year and has left a young wife. He was 32. It's just so sad.

[shallimarRose]

Oh Lola I am sorry...Did he die as a result his service or was he ill? Go in and read my "Grieve me not" maybe copy it and give it to his wife.. Many use that poem to help with the grieving. huggs, Rose

[Clara]

No, he died unexpectedly after a marathon race - without any known illness or conditions. He was in the service though. Thanks for the reply. Xx

[MsJewel]

The sweet innocence of the first poem and then the heartbreak of the second leaves such an impact. Truly amazing writing. This is one of those poems that just curls right up in your heart and stays there...and the video..the perfect addition!

:) Julie

[shallimarRose]

Thank you Jewel, Yes this is one I am very proud of yet it was not at all what I had planned to write. I think those are the best ones, when the muse takes over.. lol Rose

[Lydia Shutter]

OH MY....I have goosebumps after reading this. The bittersweetness, the nostalgia, the fervid emotion of prom night. The stark contrast of the first poem being innocent and joyous and the second poem being filled with loss and heartbreak was so effective. The song was the icing on the cake. Rose, this is an amazing presentation. This one is going into my library! Lydi**

[shallimarRose]

Thank you Lydi.. I am always surprised and honored when someone shelves my work. xo Rose

[fwvalidus]

The song holds no meaning for me but the poem is quite excellent. Even if one cannot relate directly to this, which hopefully most people cant, I think everyone can appreciate this because deep inside us we always have that fear of losing a loved one.

I think you could write a matching poem for this from the boy's perspective too. I think one of the most feared aspects of death is leaving our loved ones behind and not being there for them. Well done all in all.

[shallimarRose]

Thank you for reading Val. I think your vision of two poems from the boys/mans perspective is a good and one worth contemplation. Pleased you paused on my page to read and review. shallimarRose

[Vani Jalagar]

a small embrace
hand in hand he led her down
where he gave it to her
right there in front of her parents
a small silver locket
it was tied onto her corsage
"I LOVE YOU”

these lines are so beautiful and it gives the pleasure of love.....as the 2nd part is read it gives the pleasure of pain.......so beautifully penned.
she never did marry
no one could compare
to the memory left
by that boy on the stair
sixty years to the day
since the locket he gave
and they placed today
beside her in her grave...
very amazing piece, I could see myself in the broken situation ..loved it :)

[shallimarRose]

Vani thanks for reading and for the nice review. shallimarRose

[RainDancer1997]

Wow, made me wanna cry a bit. So full of different emotions. A tale of an undying love even though one of them had passed long before her death. Great poem, and touching story!

[shallimarRose]

Thank you Rainy... its a tear jerker for sure with that video.... xo

[Hatchling]

Two words...Simply amazing! Keep up the good work

[shallimarRose]

Thank you wolflover? I am pleased to see a new name stopping by to read. shallimarRose