Have you ever looked at someone and smiled? Not because  you felt like you had to, but because the feeling in your stomach that the butterflies give  you, force you to. But still wanted to cry because you know she will never be yours.
          Have you ever wanted to kiss someone, yet still bit your lip because it would be best if you didn't? Because she already has too much on her shoulders already.
          Have you ever wanted to hold someone's hand, but clenched your fist because of how the world has treated her?
          Have you ever wanted to tell someone how beautiful the stars in their eyes are? And wondered if they see the same in yours?
          Have you ever wanted to hold someone in your arms? Yet wondered how their shoulder hasn't broken from all the weight on it.
          Have you ever wanted to tell someone all that you just read, but won’t? The next time you see that person, you will just smile like everything is ok, even though it's not. How do I know? Because that's exactly what I do every time I see her. Every day I hear her beautiful voice say my name. Every time I see those beautiful stars in her amazing eyes, that take me far from earth. Every time I see that smile. That makes me believe that there is a heaven, and it looks exactly like she does when she is. Every time my entire body tingles when she touches me, or gives me a hug. I have never been in love before. So I don't know if that's what it is. Or just a senior in high school thing. But throughout my time in high school, my number one goal was to fall in love. I think I achieved that goal. She will just never know. And she will never be mine. Or never know my feelings towards her, and that I wrote this for her.

Rights & Access

This poem was submitted for the "Poetry for the Mind's Joy" project and is reproduced here with permission from the author. All rights reserved. Poetry for the Mind's Joy is Poet Laureate Kay Ryan's project that includes a community college poetry contest administered by the Community College Humanities Association and a lively videoconference.
  • Sean Blankenship

    Frank Phillips College, Borger, TX

    Faculty Advisor: Susan Greenwald, English Department Head