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If I Bumped Into Love Walking Down the Street

by Jeffrey Parren

I would carefully explain my displeasure
with all the smoke and mirrors
and the unending difficulties
with just making pure romance work.

I knew it wasn't Infatuation
because that usually passes
and I knew it wasn't Puppy Love
because that has long been a memory.

I am an old 30
(being 55 mentally for many years now)
and I'd like to think
all the immaturities are behind me
so I carefully and tactfully
stated my case to Love.

Well. Love wasn't having it.
"What have you done to deserve it?"

"I have proclaimed my true desires
to be married and have kids,
maybe even the stupid white picket fence
everyone thinks so highly of
and all you have done is give me heartache."

"Well maybe the right thing has already come along
and you screwed it up!"

"You know what? Love!"

"What?!!"

"You're going down!"

With raging honesty I threw the first punch.
Caught Love square in the nose
and as the tears flowed from Love's face
I felt a thunderous strike to my stomach
which was nothing new anyway
so I struck back with a punch
that caught Love in the left ear
leaving them ringing
like when someone is talking about you.

Love tried an overhand fist to my skull
which connected with ferocity
and brought me to the ground.

I punched the first thing I saw in front of me
and Love was down on two knees as well.

This continued on
until we were bloodied and battered
and onlookers & passersby broke us up.

We hadn't learned anything from this fight
but perhaps the show of raw emotion
was good enough to show myself
that at least I am not completely dead inside
even though right now it feels like I am.

02/25/2010

Posted on 02/25/2010
Copyright © 2024 Jeffrey Parren

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Charlie Morgan on 02/25/10 at 08:43 PM

...jeff, cool write, like the personification of Love and you're getting some licks in on her...she is a formidable opponent...you seem to be up to the challenge, and it's a challenge...

Posted by Beth K Hannah on 02/27/10 at 06:01 PM

this was such a good read...i feel like love's purposely screwed me over as well. haha

Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 02/27/10 at 07:39 PM

Great fight scene! Loved the whole conversation here. Thank you,.

Posted by Therese Elaine on 03/01/10 at 01:33 PM

Love, the pursuit of and the practice, definitely contains an element of the violent, the frustrated and the thwarted...perfectly natural you'd want to two-step with it like any good romantic pugilist!

Posted by Laurie Blum on 03/01/10 at 04:18 PM

This was so entertaining and yet sad at the same time. I really enjoyed the way you and 'love' went at it. Many of us have gone a few rounds with Love! Excellent poem Jeff.

Posted by Amie Golda on 03/02/10 at 06:55 AM

Haha I've never seen love so violent. But I guess in reality it is actually as intense as a boxing match. The ending I found a little bit emo as it sounded like the cliches they recite. But in conjecture to the poem I guess it worked well. And I'm not one who follows boxing, but this was indeed entertaining.

Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 08/28/10 at 04:08 AM

Congrats on POTD!

Posted by E. A. Pugh on 08/28/10 at 05:50 PM

leaving them ringingleaving them ringingleaving them ringingleaving them ringingleaving them ringingleaving them ringingleaving them ringingleaving them ringinginginginginginging! Great poem !

Posted by Kristine Briese on 08/28/10 at 06:15 PM

Inspiring and wonderful! Excellent choice for POTD!

Posted by Laurie Blum on 08/28/10 at 06:59 PM

I completely ...throughly enjoyed reading this again. Great choice for POTD!

Posted by Paganini Jones on 08/28/10 at 09:32 PM

Excellent POTD - I found myself chuckling even with a wry smile.

Posted by Joe Cramer on 08/29/10 at 12:16 AM

JPP!!! Congrats on POTD!!!! A wonderful write!!!

Posted by Traci Mabats on 10/31/10 at 12:42 AM

I am an old 30--I love that line! Great write.

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