Pearl Jam Hoodie

The campfire blazes on,

piercing the unlit night.

Each slight ember bounces,

trying to jump away.

There she sat, so quiet,

So purely innocent,

Hugging that denim jacket

with her supernal skin.

The spring gusts kept tempting

our minds toward the atmosphere,

some random balladeer

crooning notes in the background

Her emerald eyes were fresh,

Sometimes they were jaded,

Her soul was like that too.

I, on the other hand,

should feel so elated,

I mean,

I had that 80’s love

The ones people dream of,

The one where Starship says,

“Nothing’s going to stop me now,”

But something felt hollow,

Like something was missing.

My chest was corrupted

by this cold emptiness.

And it was I that failed,

I let the cold invade.

It felled the capillaries

on my sanguine cheek,

as cautiously I let her,

and she enwrapped into me.

Her touch was cold, unfeeling.

And it wasn’t her fault.

I wasn’t the mean type,

So I wrapped my sturdy palm

around the side of her face,

and then admitted her

onto my barren shoulder.

If someone could observe

The inner gears of my soul,

They would see me right there,

in the distant corner.

My soul was there, hiding

from this palpable plight.

I felt it in my bones,

and I had to get out.

Oh how the mind plays tricks,

and though I achieved my dreams,

While other woolgatherers

Were stuck staring at stars,

Just hoping that one would

shoot in their direction.

I knew it felt so wrong.

 

Then,

I did the impossible.

I picked up my heavy eyes,

out of the weary pools

of utter disappointment,

And on the rocks she sat…

Adorable glasses,

Her smile with bleached on gleam,

Her body caressing

A vintage and reused

pear green Pearl Jam hoodie…

I knew it was just right.

 

I tend to wonder why,

Why we keep these secrets

Tucked in those glassy eyes,

and in the hidden words

under the coats of our tongues?

The hardest thing tonight,

Was watching her unfold

And open her gorgeous soul

to an unworthy man.

One who could not be me,

and all I could do was look.

My heart and soul were crushed

by this unrequited weight.

How could I let this happen.

How did I fall in love

with someone who can’t be mine.

If she only knew me,

How simple it would be…