Cycle of Love

They say you fall in love a total of three times in your life. This is my experience.

In fourth grade, I had my first love.

We played on the swings at recess.

We hugged next to the big maple tree next to the playground.

We sat next to each other during group reading.

We were in love.

But we were too young.

In fourth grade, I had my first heartbreak.

In ninth grade, I had my second love.

I had my first kiss.

We talked about the future.

I trusted him.

But he used my trust to his advantage.

I wanted to die.

In ninth grade, I had my second heartbreak.

In eleventh grade, I had my third love.

He was different.

We did things I thought I’d never get to do.

He respected me.

I wanted to marry him.

I want to marry him.

Now, I fall in love with him over and over and over again.

Author's Note

Any feedback or constructive criticism is appreciated :)

Reviews

[albee]

Want...in present and past tense...there lays the mystery...happily ever after or...samara cycle of falling in and out of love....a narrative from fresh eyes, fresh experiences i perceive...uncomplicated clear language...i could follow the story line with first read...lacking emotion till the "Want" and falling in love over and over again, poignant...your poem moved something inside me...I'm thankful you posted it and i found it...

[John the Baptist]

The last stanza is interesting, because the speaker tells us she wanted to marry her eleventh grade love, then quickly upgrades the tense to the present, indicating an ongoing desire for him. Then in the last line she indicates ongoing loves. If she's playing the field while still being hung up on Mr. 11, she's setting herself up for a lot of frustration.

[Chicky]

Thank you for the feedback! With that last stanza, I was trying to imply that the speaker was still with her grade 11 love. However, I wanted to keep the consistency of 7 lines per stanza. How would you suggest I go about making that clearer? Thank you! :)

[John the Baptist]

In the last line, after "love" insert "with him."