I was driving with a friend in my birthday present,
My little Barracuda. Cruising.
Sophomore days but memory signatures in a Blue book.
Springs bloom had given over to summer's first warm day.
Windows down. Music blaring Morrison's sexy 'Touch Me'.
Nothing better existed in that moment
Until I saw Him.
Sweet that second our eyes first met.
Me lost in shining blue eyes that
Pierced my soul as if he had a
Magic harpoon;
For my Spirit lunged as if struck.
In less than a moment he caught my heart
Reeled me in hook line sinker.
Goner more the word.
I knew him without even knowing his name.
My muscles clenched in a manner foreign to me;
Not knowing I was being introduced to
Pure want need desire.
All or nothing sink or swim do or die
World is my oyster sweet sixteen time.
I knew I had to meet him.
Have him?
"Who is that"? I said to no one for
I forgot where I was yet alone expected a reply.
But 'she' answered much to my surprise.
Friend. My friend told me to 'forget it'.
'I didn't have a chance'.
'He was older'. 'Was someone special',
"Beyond you" is what my now un friend said.
Un friend went on
To say her brother 'knows that guy'.
Then she threw the rope
Pulled the noose tightly
Tossed me over a ledge and said
With vulgar pleasure,
"His name is Jim and he's engaged".
Haughty smugness is nothing I had ever witnessed.
But I was no longer hearing.
This can't be oh no not so
I refuse to believe this true.
For better or worse to coin the phrase
That first came to my mind.
Irony not really considered then;
No way.
No one try to stop me.
I was on a mission
To find and meet my passion
Face to face. Nose to nose.
Lip to lip...dear goodness.
Nothing on this splendid earth
Would or could dare hold me
From keeping my date with fate.
Only I was the one quite surprised
For my fate 'caught' up with me.


Deborah
Greeneville
 of events in Belmont
Summer of 1969