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Half Our Lives Ago
by
John DeDakis
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Rated "G" by the Author.
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Reflections on meeting a former lover after many years.
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We're fifty now, or close to it, Long removed from an island summer of frolic -- and fudge, We talked about God, but experienced forbidden pleasure.
The confusion – and pain -- came later.
On a pier beneath a cold grey sky, we prayed, you cried, we parted. It was half our lives ago.
Since then, there have been other loves -- and losses:
A child, a sister, parents. We’ve kept our marriages, but barely kept in touch.Now when we flirt, it’s with retirement, not each other,
And we mock the way we were half our lives ago.
We could have hated each other -- and perhaps for awhile we did. Despised ourselves, too, though we still don't talk of that. Maybe we never will. Maybe. But I think not. Will there be other times to talk, you and I? And to touch?
If so, those touches will be different than they were Half our lives ago.
Now when I caress your sleeve, I’m reaching to hold an
earlier time, Straining to understand who we were, what we've become,
what we'll be. During a life-defining summer, the best and worst in ourselves
collided. Are we both the better because of it? It's hard to know. That was half our lives ago.
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| Reviewed by Jerry Engler |
4/3/2009 |
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| Very nice reflection, John....the ways of youth viewed from the seat of maturity. How many times have I thought of how I might have done things differently, but the thoughtfullness for what actually was, there is a better reward.....Jerry |
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| Reviewed by Michelle Lowrie |
3/4/2009 |
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| Wow! I can definitely relate to this one. I am in my 40s now and have done that, not once, but twice within the last three years. The seventh stanza definitely rings true in both situations. I once again let go of the one that I met straight out of college, but the one that I dated in high school is still a great friend. |
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| Reviewed by Linda Settles |
1/13/2009 |
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My first love is my present love, twenty-five years and two children later. Our love is not the idylic infatuation of yester-year, but a deep pond of giving, sharing, and becoming--a pond whose surface reflects the environment we have created. I sometimes catch a glimpse of myself mirrored on the glassy surface of our pond, and know that I am growing older. The same reflection lights my beloved's eyes with admiration, and I know that he sees beyond the toll that time has taken and basks in the treasures of our deep, deep, pond--a love that began 'half our lives ago.'
A sweet sentiment, John, that got me thinking about the love of my life both yesterday and today. Beautifully penned.
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| Reviewed by Joanna Leone |
8/2/2008 |
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This piece is a beautiful and reflective piece. This is my favorite part of the poem, "We're fifty now, or close to it, Long removed from an island summer of frolic -- and fudge, We talked about God, but experienced forbidden pleasure." It sums up life so beautifully, as we can all relate to a more simple time in our lives when we were carefree and enjoyed what I call "the decadent" times of exploration and forbidden pleasures. This poem has so much deep meaning, and reminded me of my earlier years. I am 41, but I think back at my younger years and see how much I have grown, and have changed. This is an excellent poem. Stop into my authors den if you have a chance.
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| Reviewed by John Domino |
7/31/2008 |
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Yes, I agree! This is a somber subject.
My first wife died of cancer and it took over 20yrs. to write about our experiences during the last days of her life. I have the short story on my Author's Den Website. Please visit when you have time.
Blessings,
John Michael |
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| Reviewed by Lois Christensen |
6/15/2008 |
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| This is a true write from your heart, reliving that first love, and saying what remembrances come from it. Things change fast and yet some things remain in our hearts forever and stay forever. Half our lives ago is so sentimental poetry, it is well worth reading and pondering over. Good luck to you in your future still. |
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| Reviewed by Alexis Pena Goco |
4/20/2008 |
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| I really enjoyed how I got a sense of you in this poem. I was first attracted to visit your profile and works by your quote and bio pic; and when I read this poem it was sort of a climax for me regarding who you are |
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| Reviewed by Gloria Gay |
4/5/2008 |
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| Wonderfully felt, wonderfully written--universal feelings, too. |
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| Reviewed by Dawn Wilson |
3/31/2008 |
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Honest...beautiful...feeling a sense of regret. "Now when we flirt, it’s with retirement, not each other,"...my favorite line.
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| Reviewed by Bernice Angoh |
3/27/2008 |
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| Words after my own heart...beautiful |
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| Reviewed by Romantic Poetess Victoria L. McColley |
3/11/2008 |
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Hello John,
I enjoyed your poetic express of young love & the maturity of the journey.
I myself only wanted love back in those days, and never even knew what it really was in all actuality. Or I was in Love with the idea of Love-I am not sure. I do envy couples who have been together from the beginning of their Quests With Love. I find them to be truly blessed.
Embrasse'
Vickie |
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| Reviewed by Janet Caldwell (author) |
3/5/2008 |
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This really moved me and I can relate. At 49, I wonder at times about the love of my 20's. I am happy though and grateful for a walk down my own memory lane.
Janet |
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| Reviewed by Susan de Vegter |
2/22/2008 |
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Come September...these two figures continue on in their lives with the beauty they share in a genuine, honest way. I know...I've been there too.
Blessings and love,
Susan |
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| Reviewed by Anna Lisnic |
2/5/2008 |
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| There was a breath of a poem in this peice, but I rather took it as prose. It didn't steal a bit of the pleasure i've had. You really have style and talent. While the soul of your poems is perfect, the body has to suffer a bit. If you understand what I mean:) I like it that you didn't try to make your poem original and modern. I hate it when people do that. You just wrote what you felt, and I suppose you would do much better writing short novels and stories, where you don't have to care about shape, and I don't have to read the same line several times trying to find the best rhytm. Ending up my HONEST comment I would like to say that someone, who writes things like these, must be wise. It's a pleasure to know you. |
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| Reviewed by R.D. Pounds |
1/29/2008 |
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You express the ups and downs of life very well here...the wistful questions...the losses and the change in perspective...you pack a whole lot of philosophy into a few lines...and the need to hold on, even if on a different level.
Well done.
Gina |
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| Reviewed by ~ Holly Harbridge (Reader) |
1/24/2008 |
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| Interesting journey John...one I've been on as well and asking the same questions. Be well, Holly |
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| Reviewed by Gianetta Ellis |
1/21/2008 |
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| Emotions sit on the surface of these well-expressed words. Honesty, regret, nostalgia, uncertainty seem to all rise up and pull the reader in. It feels like a movie - like Bridges of Madison County, perhaps. |
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| Reviewed by xxxx xxxx |
9/14/2007 |
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| Great title for this poem of reflection. Wonderful memories as the way it should be. Reading your submission leave a good feeling within. Rhoda LI, NY |
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| Reviewed by Mary Tilley |
5/31/2007 |
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John,
I can really feel deep inside what it is you're conveying in this
beautifully written poem. Thanks for sharing!
God Bless!
Mary E Tilley |
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| Reviewed by L. Craft |
2/21/2007 |
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| I am right there in that wonderfully written tunnel of time and reflection. Beautifully project processing of a time . . . Thanks! I am so glad I found your writings now! Linda (L. K. Craft) |
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| Reviewed by jeanne watson |
5/21/2006 |
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John,
..."life-defining" moments so earnestly penned...I truly enjoyed Half Our Lives Ago and found myself smiling with understanding.
...jeanne... |
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| Reviewed by Jane Rodway |
5/15/2006 |
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| I love that you were so honest in this poem, that what we hold on to on that sleeve is who we were then, not the persons we are, great poem. |
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