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Underneath

by Daniel Peterson

In a single word you said:
“thanks,”
that doesn’t say so much,
so much as it reveals
so much
more
underneath –

I heard a different
you
in that moment
of truth,
sigh and almost give in
to feelings
underneath –

~

Where’'s that little girl?
Where’'s that dream
that'’s been deferred?

A ticking time bomb,
waiting to go off
in a white-hot instant

of decision.

~

Questioning is pain,
and,
not knowing is, too... –
–
pain
like a slow bleeding from
underneath.

But what makes it seem
like Christmas morning,
racing downstairs
to see?
And what, little girl,
are those presents
underneath?

05/19/2004

Author's Note: Written to a friend. I guess it's sort of about figuring out what you're passionate about doing -- what makes you excited -- and then going out there and doing it. Trite, and the plotline of countless teen dramadies, but relevant nonetheless. So sue me...

Posted on 05/20/2004
Copyright © 2026 Daniel Peterson

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Michele Schottelkorb on 05/21/04 at 06:26 AM

i don't find it trite at all... i enjoy the repetitive flow of this piece... and the searching for what lies underneath... great read... blessings...

Posted by Ashok Sharda on 05/21/04 at 05:32 PM

Underneath? yes, on a different layer things mean so differently.

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