only yesterday it seems
we sat in this same circle
pimply face kids
eager to explore
every facet of love
that first kiss
still something to lose sleep over

parents ourselves now
we gaze back and forth
each in turn wondering
how the years escaped us
a little heavier on the outside
faces long clear of acne
showing the first lines of aging
and hidden between them
the scars of failed romance
some old
others not long in healing

over a glass of something
now all too easily taken for granted
we laugh
we dance
and flirt
cautiously optimistic
that first kiss
will still keep us awake

© 1999

750 hits as of May 2023

08/15/2015

Author's Note: The One Parent Family Association or OPFA for short is a local organization here in Ottawa, that helps either singles with children or those from broken marriages with children to meet others in the same situation, bond in new friendships, possible relationships, and overall support one another with all the challenges that single parenting can bring. The group has an executive, and holds monthly meetings to discuss business, priorities, and plan events, some just for the adults, while others for parents and children together. At the time of writing this, I had a few friends who were regular members, who invited me to participate in certain events to see if I might be interested in joining full-time. Although fun in some regards, I soon noticed in certain members a familiar cliquism and the gossip to go with it that turned me off, as with other social circles in the past. The few events I did attend however provided the inspiration for 3 new poems, including the one above, as well as Carpe Diem, and Louise At Luau. The Louise poem in fact takes place at the party mentioned in Carpe Diem. In the end I decided it wasn’t for me, and in the fall of 1999, rejoined the local writing community after a 5 year hiatus, by taking on the duties of publicity and webmaster for the Sasquatch Writers’ Performance Series. One final note about the above poem, I discovered by chance one time that someone had copied and posted it on another website, but retitled it: That First Kiss. As they had at least given me © notice and credit for writing it, I didn’t mind, though obviously somebody didn’t like the title. Link: http://www.blessedwithlove.com/poem/that-first-kiss . Also published in the broadsheet, Jury Room, produced by Jury Room Workshop members, Ottawa, Canada (2000).

Posted on 08/15/2015
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