To An Ex-Boyfriend | Teen Ink

To An Ex-Boyfriend MAG

January 4, 2010
By DanaJae SILVER, Highland Park, Illinois
DanaJae SILVER, Highland Park, Illinois
8 articles 0 photos 0 comments

Favorite Quote:
But we were born of risen apes, not fallen angels, and the apes were armed killers besides. And so what shall we wonder at? Our murders and massacres and missiles, and our irreconcilable regiments? Or our treaties whatever they may be worth; our symphonies however seldom they may be played; our peaceful acres, however frequently they may be converted into battlefields; our dreams however rarely they may be accomplished. The miracle of man is not how far he has sunk but how magnificently he has risen. We are known among the stars by our poems, not our corpses.


So you stumbled back into town
wearing a worn college T-shirt
and a new smirking swagger I didn't recognize.
No eye contact as he strolls to the back of the restaurant with a painted half-grin,
and greets the group I sit with.
They knew him too, probably better than I ever did.
And when he turns his face toward me, with a guarded nod to show some recognition, a greeting both casual and careful, it was like nothing ever happened between us. Like I was still that nervous freshman who always tried to start a conversation and he was the nervous boy that sometimes paid attention. Right back where we started.
But in his face I can see
a glimmer of recognition.
Perhaps for a moment he remembered us hand in hand, slowly pacing an abandoned beach because we had nothing better to do.
Or for an instant, he recalled the nervous and excited chill when we were locked out of his house at midnight, when the inky grass was soupy with March dew.
When he sees me now, months later, his fixed smile is polite, but purposeful. A brief encounter heavy with anticipation that left my head feeling like a wet white cotton ball, so matted and void.
But in his face I see a glimmer of recognition.

Maybe wishful thinking.



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This article has 4 comments.


Shelbs13 GOLD said...
on Jun. 22 2010 at 12:32 pm
Shelbs13 GOLD, White Plains, New York
10 articles 0 photos 17 comments

Favorite Quote:
I have too many to even name so I'm not even going to go there... lol

this is amazing. i loved it! keep writing

on Jun. 2 2010 at 7:10 pm
sparkofheart GOLD, Plymouth, Minnesota
16 articles 2 photos 253 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Always" - Severus Snape

omg that was awesome its totally relatable! great job :)

maRAWR GOLD said...
on May. 30 2010 at 8:08 pm
maRAWR GOLD, Greeley, Colorado
14 articles 0 photos 42 comments

Favorite Quote:
"all you need is love" -the beatles =)

totally been there! im so glad im over looking for self-worth in the arms of guys.  great poem!

on May. 30 2010 at 12:58 am
TUBBZ-6 PLATINUM, Norwich, New York
22 articles 1 photo 14 comments

Favorite Quote:
"To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure." - Harry Potter (Daniel)

i so love this poem you really got it i know how you feel