Ode to the Man Downstairs-
I sit upon my seat and twist and squirm and squeal.
My head is spinning fast, as if tethered to a wheel.
I cannot find the words to say, to make you understand.
I'm looking for a studly prize, yet you are not that man.
Please stop calling, texting, and stopping by.
I'm busy will be my constant reply.
I wish I had some kind of reason to give-
But I don't. Just friends is all that there is.
A few weeks later in my other English class that I actually pay attention to we read a poem by Christina Rossitti called "No, Thank You John". She wrote some of the first "anti-love" poetry. As I read it I could help but laugh and note the similarities with my poem. Hers is better of course but maybe mine will end up in an anthology someday, even if it is just my mom's. :)
Here is hers:
I never said I loved you, John:
Why will you tease me day by day,
And wax a weariness to think upon
With always "do" and "pray"?
You Know I never loved you, John;
No fault of mine made me your toast:
Why will you haunt me with a face as wan
As shows an hour-old ghost?
I dare say Meg or Moll would take
Pity upon you, if you'd ask:
And pray don't remain single for my sake
Who can't perform the task.
I have no heart?-Perhaps I have not;
But then you're mad to take offence
That don't give you what I have not got:
Use your common sense.
Let bygones be bygones:
Don't call me false, who owed not to be true:
I'd rather answer "No" to fifty Johns
Than answer "Yes" to you.
Let's mar our plesant days no more,
Song-birds of passage, days of youth:
Catch at today, forget the days before:
I'll wink at your untruth.
Let us strike hands as hearty friends;
No more, no less; and friendship's good:
Only don't keep in veiw ulterior ends, And points not understood
In open treaty. Rise above
Quibbles and shuffling off and on:
Here's friendship for you if you like; but love,-
No, thank you, John.
