Our Story

Our Story

When at first I saw you,

I knew not whom I'd found.

You smiled at me, curiously,

And I wasn't sure why,

But this intrigued me.

Could I make you mine?

When you first saw me,

A puzzled expression crossed your face.

Surprisingly, when I blushed, you did too,

At which point, things just fell into place.

Could you make me yours?

When we first spoke,

It was as though the stars aligned.

Everything just... Fit.

You claimed my voice was your reassurance.

Even if I spoke too much.

Though we had our differences,

We still had each other.

In a spellbinding instance,

Over a long summer...

Both our hearts changed with the passing of time,

When you made me yours, and I made you mine.

Background: "Our Story" is an original based off an original. In all honesty, it's difficult to put a sufficient explanatory tag on this piece. This is the one and only piece where I wrote the end before I wrote the beginning. The end was written long ago, but it was not until semi-recently that I came up with a "prelude" for the "climax", so to speak. July of last year marked the month when I completed this poem. Affectionate wording and sweetness of tone ranked as top priority above a substantial meter and rhyme scheme (as, I am sure, you're beginning to recognize as it has become increasingly evident over the past few posts). Properly conveying a message is more important to me than following the "rules." As I have stated in the past, "free-verse" is also an expression of feeling and ultimately considered poetic. Hopefully you are able to appreciate my subtle use of rhyme though not strictly enforced.

Basics: "Our Story" depicts the beginning stages of a love story. A first for two, young people. He smiles, she smiles back, he blushes, so does she. These simplicities are intended to imply purity in each of their intentions. The boy admits to being slightly outspoken, to which the girl responds be reassuring him that his voice is soothing to her. As the poem progresses, it becomes evident that the two have met towards the beginning of summertime. A question soon arises: could this romance be temporal or permanent? The answer remains uncertain. What is clarified, is that the two individuals meekly give their hearts to one another at the duration of summer. Because the piece ends on a gratifying, positive note, it is implied that the two lover's romance beginning in summer continues on, even after the season ends.

Feel free to comment and criticize. I welcome all feedback.

Most sincerely,

~Jacob P. Hartges