Winter 2005 - Jan Feb Mar
Title of Poem: "Last Day of the First Lover"
Source: Tears rolling down the heartstring (2004)
Rating: 4 laurels
Randy's poem "Last Day of the First Lover" is a poem about breaking up. It is a very emotional poem about a guy being dumped by his first girlfriend.
This poem is like a lyrics of a romantic ballad or country song. Very typical of many of Randy's poems. Country musicians and balladeers like to sing about love, first love, breaking up, finding a new love, etc.
I interviewed Randy if he is a musician. Randy says he likes music but he doesn't know how to play any musical instrument.
The poem describes a typical break-up scene: The woman in the poem is the one who is leaving the man.
In many cases, the woman is usually left by the man in many relationships. But this poem shows that the woman is the one leaving the man. Well, the woman in the poem has a car of her own which indicates the woman is well-off and capable of leaving a man for another man. The poet did not indicate why the girlfriend left the man.
The poem is a painting of a "modern world" where marriage or relationships can be ended by a woman.
The poem may be true in First World countries where women are very independent and not afraid to compete with men.
The poem is probably not true in Third World countries where women are expected to tow their husband's wishes. Women in Third World countries expect their husbands to be the breadwinner.
This poem attracted my attention for many reasons:
a. The poem reminds me a romantic song and so I wonder if this poem is made by a musician.
b.A poem about heterosexual romance or relationships can be intriguing.
Is this poem based on reality or imagination? Why would a woman leave a man? What causes the break-up of heterosexual relationships? Is it a third party that caused an otherwise long-term relationship?
The poem by itself is good story. The poet was able to paint the anguish and tension of two people breaking up in such a short poem.
Breaking up can be a painful experience when deep down their hearts they still know they still love each other.
American Poet from Illinois
Winter 2005
Jan Feb Mar
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by Randy L. Redmond
Source: Tears rolling down the heartstring
The fight we had at one a.m.
Will be the last we will have
Because this day will last forever
Forevever in our minds it stays
And as I'm thinking of it
I hear a car door slam
So then I let her in to take
The things she most loved
About the times that we gave
The first lover, gave you pain
The last day, gave you more
If the way you left him
Gives the next time less pain
Remember
The last day of the first lover
She came to pick up her things
Not a word did she say
She held back those sad tears
Not one did she drop
And then the door swings closed
But in her heart it knows
She will cry all the way home
And again when she's alone
Can you remember the last day of the first lover?
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(Copyright(c) 2004-2005 by Randy L. Redmond)
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