Only Today | Teen Ink

Only Today

September 4, 2009
By erikachristine BRONZE, El Segundo, California
erikachristine BRONZE, El Segundo, California
2 articles 0 photos 0 comments

He sits and reads,
Turning page after page.
His eyes skate over the words,
Reading each curve and
Living its life.

He’s not like his parents.
Pushes away the alcohol they offer.
“It’s just a sip,” Father says.
“No,” he replies. “None for me.”
“Try,” Mother urges.
“Not for me,” he answers calmly.

Not unlike others,
He’s wasted time.
He’s lived and
Loved others,
But not himself.

He doesn’t know how
Brave he’s been when
He could have been like
Them.

He sits in his
Ten by ten room and
Writes until his heart sits
Shriveled, dry, frail.

He longs for her
But has made mistakes.
It’s too late.
Too many days
Left behind.

His guitar is his only
Comfort.
He clings to its strings and
Glides his fingers over the
Smooth neck and pretends it’s
Her.

Tears stream down his face
As Father pops another bottle.
The cap rolls slowly along the
Hardwood floor,
Ricocheting off his bedroom door and
Circling blindly before
Falling and falling and
Giving up.

He picks up his guitar,
Holds it to his chest.
It’s the only thing that feels his
Heart beat anymore.

She sits alone
Waiting at his door.
He cannot hear,
The guitar drowning out
Her cries,
His cries,
Their cries.

They sit on opposite sides of the wall.

He sits and clings to his guitar
As she stares blankly at her hand,
Poised lightly gripped around his doorknob.
“Let me in,” she whispers.
“No, not today,” he sings in response.
“Let me love,” she cries.
“Only today,” he calls in reply.

The author's comments:
My friend was in love with this boy in school who used to be a good friend. He cut her off unexpectedly, and we started to analyze his life. We still haven't figured him out, other than the image we've created, which is reflected in this poem.

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This article has 2 comments.


on Sep. 18 2009 at 6:51 am
costarican93 GOLD, Washington, Louisiana
14 articles 0 photos 33 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The city looks so pretty do you want to burn it with me?"- Hollywood Undead

Wow.

Ama-za-zing!!!!!

Where did you get the inspiration to write something like this???

on Sep. 17 2009 at 10:37 pm
choirchic101 SILVER, Norwalk, California
9 articles 0 photos 196 comments

Favorite Quote:
in order for God to use all of you you have to be completely broken

it was amazing. the last stanza made me want to cry. the whole poem was amazing. you definitely need to keep on writing. this poem is an insparation to those who know what the lie of this person is like. i encourage yu to keep on writing