Pulling Back the Sheet

It started as a scribble
in my yearbook
and ended
with an apology,
of sorts:
I wish I’d been more,
held your hand
when it mattered

and even
when it didn’t.

Ink lasts longer
than schoolyard dreams,
wilted
before their bloom.
Notes we wrote
lend breath
to ghosts,

long after
pens fall still.

In this cold place
I see your face
as it was behind the gym,
where your lips
once tasted

of blackberries
and sunshine.

Ryan Stone

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72 thoughts on “Pulling Back the Sheet”

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  4. This brought back so many memories. Your first love or high school love is so special. As we grow and understand what it takes to make a relationship work we look back In regret, I saw your tags and don’t know if she passed or not. I’m sorry if she has….:(

    My first love and I dated for 4 years and broke up when I was 18. I thought life ended. I truly thought my life was over.
    Funny how things change. It’s been years since I’ve seen him but (ahem) on a certain day that was special between us he always texts me “123” jûst to let me know he still thinks about me. The numbers 123 meant I love you. 🙂 Every Valentines Day out of the blue I will get his text. Then he goes silent for another year. Funny… When you love someone you never rally stop. This is a beautiful poem. 🙂

    Sorry for the novel. I’m in a nostalgic mood for some reason. 🙂

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  5. You have been a guest in this cold parlor a dew times.. the poem is a witness of grief and memories. All of the sudden the taste of formalin vanishes with the sunshine and blackberries..
    hugs!! lots of them!

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  6. Ugh. Lump in my throat with this one. So nice.
    Glad I came across your site. I can tell I am really going to like your poetry…and I’m pretty picky. 🙂

    Hope you will check mine out as well on learningtocry.wordpress.com under poetry category.
    Happy writing.

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    1. Thanks so much, Kunal. You just gave me a big smile-it’s a fairly personal poem. And I apologise for not having much time time to visit and read of late – I have a lot of catching up to do. I hope you’re well 🙂

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      1. Welcome Ryan. Hahaha. Yes, my life is so busy, but I like to drop by at least once a week. I need more time in a day. Don’t we all. Hahaha.
        Have a great one.
        🙂

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  12. Blackberries and sunshine!!! Killer! ❤ I definitely can relate to this one today. I've been packing and going through old school folders and notebooks and found some notes from an old friend and reminded me of the old school days. How life changes. :]

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  14. Ryna, you’re writing is always superb. Life does bear witness to regrets, thankfully we have the ability to remember the “blackberries and sunshine”. A beautiful poem, very touching. Please have a wonderful day. ~ Mia

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    1. Thank you, dear Stella. It comes from dealing with things I tucked away at the time but can pull out and examine many years on. So happy you liked it, my friend 🙂

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      1. Much poetry comes from those things we’ve tucked away–some are things we’re hiding from ourselves…if we bring them to the light, we may write healing… 🙂

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  17. I love this Ryan. I actually found an old yearbook the other day and spent some time remembering a few special people and moments. Your writing is always lovely and thought provoking. Have a wonderful weekend! – Lola

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