RankMost active authors
1
Jan Phillips (35)
2
louis kasatkin (93)
3
Eddie Larkin (96)
4
brian dunn (187)
5
computer101 (31)
6
RedeemedAshes (22)
7
Truthwielder (58)
8
evakaye (274)
9
The Unforgiving Minute (19)
10
Adrian (18)
11
angeliki largatzis (11)
12
troy universe (17)
13
Wombat (47)
14
notebook (157)
15
bobthebuilder (6)
16
Doggerel Banksy (6)
17
jimbob (31)
18
yayati madan g gandhi (5)
19
Rai Pager (21)
20
bowenlizzie (4)
21
wolfeyesofgoldenrays (199)
22
CaseyPowers (20)
23
Aurora (10)
24
navlohoe (38)
25
IanMeechan (10)

Not Today, And Not Like This

By JD Higginson | Posted: 03 May 2009

Views: 352
I have to admit that I'm not overenthusiastic about this piece though I can't spot why that is, which is unusual for me. If anyone can enlighten me as to why then please do.

JD

* * * * *

It's a box, small and discreet
But could it be what I think it is?
I had a feeling this was coming, it's been building so long,
But not today, and not like this.

I've dropped the hints and given clues,
Discussed friends' own victories, for what that was worth,
The future and our place in it, we talked about it all,
We even got around to the first of our births.

But I still didn't expect what I think this is,
Not today, and not like this.
You tell me you love me, as you do every day,
And hug me and gift me the tenderest kiss,

Then on bended knee you suggest I should open,
Your present on Christmas day, wrapped with bow,
I'm dreading the reveal and what it could show,
I do and I don't ever want to know.

There's no escaping the truth so I slowly unwrap,
And open the box with hands that quake,
There it glints in the sunlight, all I'd ever yearned for,
And yet for some reason my lip starts to shake.

I wanted our day to be different, special, unique,
Never shared - though if I say 'yes' then it is,
So I kindly reject you, though it is what I want,
Only not today, and not like this.
All articles on this website by JD Higginson are copyright ©JD Higginson and should not be reproduced without the author's prior written consent. All opinions are the opinions of their respective authors and are not necessarily the opinions of The Writers' Circle.
Comments 
zion613
03 May 2009
Wow! I've had experience with commitment phobia, and that's what this sounds like - bang-on!

Good job! ;)
JD Higginson
03 May 2009
Thanks a lot, though it's not entirely about that.

It's supposed to be from a girl's point of view being proposed to on Christmas day. She wants to get married, hence the hint dropping, but she doesn't want to share her special day with another one.

Hope it's still as enjoyable to you.

JD
zion613
03 May 2009
Oh. Well, I feel silly. I guess what threw me was the first two lines of the last verse - if she really does want to marry this guy, why wouldn't she want to share Christmas with him?

Happy writing! ;)
JD Higginson
03 May 2009
She doesn't want to be proposed to on Christmas day, Valentines day, her birthday or any other day because she wants the day to be special and for its own reasons. She also wants it to be a random day when she won't be able to predict that the proposal could be coming.

I guess she also expected her boyfriend to know her better than that and know how she felt about that special moment.

Sorry for spoiling your original enjoyment.

JD
zion613
03 May 2009
No, you didn't spoil it at all! Thanks so much for explaining - I think it enhances my enjoyment if I know the author's true intentions.

Looking forward to more! ;)
JD Higginson
03 May 2009
In that case you're welcome.

JD
blackrose
03 May 2009
Fantastic...as a woman myself I totaly understand that feeling, I personally wouldn't want share that day with any other day, I'd want it to be special...uniquely for (for us i mean!!!).

Maybe that is what your problem with this poem is...I can see why it the message maybe unclaer for some readers, it may be worth considering going into some more depth about the whole 'having to share' issue.

but i love it anyhow!!!

blackrose.xx
kreeves106
04 May 2009
As usual, you're writing is wonderful.  I think the reason it threw a few people was because it was written from a female POV, which was a little unexpected.  I especially liked the last stanza because I not only felt her saddness in rejecting the proposal, but visualized the poor man's disappointment.  I probably would have used the word 'inevitable' in place of 'truth' in There's no escaping the truth...but other than that, I thought it was fantastic.
poppy101
04 May 2009
The idea is good, the poem flows, loved the concept of 'not today, and not like this' but I dont feel this poem like your other one.  It feels (and I might be wrong) like you were detached from the words - and it's not because you were writing from a female perspective.
Amytron
09 May 2009
Hi JD, thought I'd return the favour and comment on one of your poems - I really enjoyed this piece, in particularly the way the rhyming is irregular (there's probably a word for that but I have no idea what it is!). The sentiment is captured perfectly, can almost feel the mixture of disappointment and satisfaction and the anticipation that's going to follow, waiting for him to propose in a more original way! :-)
Shavalarj Hit
16 May 2009
Thought the poem was good, but I personally didn't feel sympathy for her.

That probably makes me a MSP. :-)

IMHO, if she loved him she would maybe reflect on his feelings rather than just her own.
Reiner
17 May 2009
Hi JD, as usual, really good. The only line that bugs me is this: I do and I don't want ever to know.
I feel the flow would be better with 'want' and 'ever' changed around.
I do and I don't ever want to know.

Reiner.
JD Higginson
18 May 2009
Thanks Reiner. I've edited that line. Thanks.

JD

Writer
JD Higginson

Total posts:
417
Roles: Writer
Manchester, UNITED KINGDOM
A dedicated writer who holds future ambitions for modest greatness. Currently completing the final editing of my first full length novel. Fingers crossed that it's good enough. All constructive criticism ... (Read more)
Recent submissions 
C
Tamson Part 10
Genre / category: Fiction
C
Tamson Part 9
Genre / category: Fiction
How would you write this?
Genre / category: Writing chat
C
Tamson Part 8
Genre / category: Fiction
Editors - Is it still my own work?
Genre / category: Editing and publishing
E
C
Tamson Part 1 - Resubmission
Genre / category: Fiction
C
Tamson Part 7
Genre / category: Fiction
Installments
Genre / category: Writing chat
C
Tamson Part 6
Genre / category: Fiction
C
Tamson Part 5
Genre / category: Fiction
123