poemranker ::Tough by Dovina

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Free verse № 106681

Tough

by Dovina

Member since 2004 · Posted 27 Jun 2004 · 6 comments

He used to frighten me in high school, his penetrating eyes, content smile, cutting wisdom. I could not imagine having such strength of will, such boldness, such grace. Tonight as I see him in the cafeteria, the alpha-male shows his familiar face, still not shaving, unwhiskered. When our eyes meet, his toughness rests on their surface, and I try to act as I had then, impressed, subservient. But too many years got in the way, and I came across motherly, and he a boy caught with a cookie.

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6 comments

[8] richa 27-Jun-04/1:39 PM Reply
Not sure the leap from subservient to motherly is a logical one. Don't like alpha-male it is inelegant. The time in this is confusing. You talk of how you knew him in high school then claim many years on he is still not shaving.
[n/a] Dovina › richa 27-Jun-04/7:45 PM Reply
Guess I need to clarify the time gap, the change in me, and another young guy with a tough air. Thanks.
[8] sliver 27-Jun-04/10:51 PM Reply
Guess you grew up on him.
[9] Shuushin 28-Jun-04/7:47 AM Reply
"still not shaving, unwhiskered" a wonderful, telling line.

[n/a] Dovina › Shuushin 28-Jun-04/11:54 AM Reply
Shuushin, Shin Shuu, now ZamZara, next Zara Zam, thanks for noticing a telling line.
[9] Shuushin › Dovina 28-Jun-04/12:14 PM Reply
Heheheh - won't ever be Zara Zam. This is one of my old, oft used gaming names.