John Botterill

First Love

by John Botterill

Monday 22nd May 2023 6:24 pm

Let me take you back to ’74,

Showaddywaddy, Mud, and ‘Tiger Feet,’

When love came knocking on my door,

From the kindest girl one could ever meet.

We walked to the bus stop, hand in hand,

And I kissed her, sweetly, as we said goodnight!

I felt completeness, ‘Under the Moon of Love,’

And all my world felt good and right.

Responsibility overwhelmed my nascent soul!

My ego was threatened by this loss of control!

One’s mind plays tricks when emotions are new,

And no teachers were telling me what to do,

I’d been left to figure out love, on my own!

A desert felt safe, nothing new to be grown.

I just wasn’t ready for commitment yet.

There were sweet pop songs all about regret!

Though I knew that I loved her,

I stopped taking her calls.

I abandoned my love, and left it there.

She was confused and, badly shaken!

I’m so sorry, Judith, I just didn’t play fair!

This poem is my sad apology,

Only fifty years in the making!

Young love, it seems, must always fall.

Raging hormones have no sense at all!

🌷(9)

◄ The Garden

The Bottom Line ►

Comments

John Botterill

Tue 23rd May 2023 20:53

Thanks to Manish, Graham, Keith, Leon, Grace, Keith and M.C for your fascinating comments which I enjoyed reading. The story is true (I never lie!) and is a bit funny/sad, I think. As with all my poetry I was trying to explain to myself what went wrong, admit culpability, express regret and try to drag a bit of humour out of my selfish, adolescent behaviour.
Hopefully a bit of poetry in there, too. (thanks for noticing, Manish.)
Graham, you proved that young love doesn't always fall!
Keith. Loved your analysis, as ever. All is fair in love and war?
Drunken dancing, Leon? Don't know you mean!😂
Thanks Uilleam. I'll try that song with William, too.
MC I'm glad my poem struck a chord. I can't be the only one to have messed up their first romance!
Grace. If you can remember the sixties.... I can't remember the end of that aphorism. 😂 Thanks forthe lovely comments.

M.C. Newberry

Tue 23rd May 2023 17:51

Resonating regret we can probably all identify with, plus the
bonus of some fine use of words to add richness to the content.
Well deserving of a thumbs up for any number of reasons! 👍

Grace Meadows

Tue 23rd May 2023 11:07

If only we could go back in time John, for me, my choice would definitely be the sixties. Looking back to that time, it seems like we had been on a different wonderful planet. Love your poem.
Many thanks.

Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Tue 23rd May 2023 08:30

Lovely John.
I sing "Let's go for a little walk" to my granddaughter when we're going down the park💓

<Deleted User> (35565)

Tue 23rd May 2023 00:06

Oh John! the times I've made a drunken shoulder shaking tiger footed loving fool of myself on the disco floor

this gets the 👍 from me matey!

LS

keith jeffries

Mon 22nd May 2023 22:00

Love and common sense juxtaposed. This makes for truly romantic poem. From a personal perspective I was drawn to the line "I'd been left to figure out love, on my own". Love has no boundaries or constraints. It is an emotion as free as a spirit in its own right.
I really enjoyed this John.
Thank you,
Keith

Graham Sherwood

Mon 22nd May 2023 20:19

Met my wife in the 6th Form, 1968. Still together and learning every day!

Nice apology John. I'm sure she forgave you years ago!

Manish Singh Rajput

Mon 22nd May 2023 18:37

A heart-warming and heart-wrenching poem. A complete roller coaster, with hard-hitting truths! I can resonate with this and it gives me equal pain and regret.
"A desert felt safe, nothing new to be grown." - Whatta line!
The last two lines are equally brilliant as well.
Loved this one my friend!
Thank you.

If you wish to post a comment you must login.

Please consider supporting us

Donations from our supporters are essential to keep Write Out Loud going

Bringing poetry to people

Click here to donate now