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Sour cherry and French vanilla

Bittersweet

By Joe O’ConnorPublished 6 months ago 1 min read

I close my eyes and see you seated,

At the bar, your drink completed,

And wish that I was sat down by your side.

Take me back, to when we used to,

Talk all night, dream of new tattoos,

You’d rest your head on me like it was us against the world.

Now this might be the liquor talking,

But I miss our fingers, interlocking,

Was there a way we could have made something of us?

We never kissed, never even caressed,

Any feelings, we always suppressed,

But even then I knew I loved you (and you loved me too).

Cigarettes, I’d still smoke aplenty,

If we could go back to before our twenties,

And stay up so late we'd start to see the sun.

We were broke, we weren’t even happy,

It’s just the nostalgia that’s got me sappy,

Can you still identify the smell of my perfume?

Collecting scars, we'd watch the stars at night,

Hoping our lives would turn out all right,

We're now living out that which we only dared to dream.

Even though we were just platonic,

All I know is I miss you, chronic

I count the days ‘til I’m drinking coffee on your couch.

If everything happens for a reason,

I hope our closeness wasn’t just a season,

And you'll still grow flowers in the darkest parts of me.

Because nowadays when all is said and done,

Even though we’re not each other's one,

The ‘imagine-if’ stays locked up safe inside my chest.

And yes, a lot has changed since then,

Who knows, maybe it’s not if but when,

We’re a perfect match, that we both knew, not to strike.

Because you’re cherry and I’m vanilla,

I just wish that we were still a...

Allowed to be just us - just us against the world.

love poems

About the Creator

Joe O’Connor

New Zealander

English teacher

Short stories and poems📚

Please be honest- I would love your constructive feedback, as it's the only way I'll get better. Would rather it was pointed out so I can improve!

Currently writing James The Wonderer

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Comments (11)

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  • The Invisible Writer5 months ago

    You really captured the more poignant side of what could have been. Very relatable

  • Cindy Calder6 months ago

    Ah, but the wistfulness of love's unrequited summation. I believe anyone who's reached a certain age (like me) often has such recalled images, easily leading to the lingering emptiness of something akin to regret. Lovely rhyme and flow herein.

  • D.K. Shepard6 months ago

    This felt so free flowing and runaway with memory and musings, but the rhyme structure really kept it anchored together so beautifully! Fantastic poem, Joe!

  • A. J. Schoenfeld6 months ago

    The brilliance of these lines: "We were broke, we weren’t even happy, It’s just the nostalgia that’s got me sappy." How often do we filter out the unpleasant memories when dreaming of the past? I really enjoyed this poem.

  • Grz Colm6 months ago

    Much of this is quite relatable, Joe. You’ve made those feelings almighty, yet showing a quiet tangible simplicity. Lovingly done!! ☺️ 👏

  • This was very close to my experience so it felt very relatable. I'm so sorry if you're going through this. Sending you lots of love and hugs ❤️

  • Caroline Craven6 months ago

    Joe, I loved this. I guessing you’ve written about a specific person because this felt so real. Also love this line - The ‘imagine-if’ stays locked up safe inside my chest.

  • Antoni De'Leon6 months ago

    Nostalgic and a bit sad. Great poem.

  • Very Nostalgic, takes you back in time. Nice piece @Joe O’Connor

  • Leslie Writes6 months ago

    This takes me back to a time and place. The what ifs will drive you crazy. Great piece.

  • Cathy holmes6 months ago

    This is beautiful work, Joe. I particularly love the last lines, and the one about striking the match. Well done!

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