Jonathan Berger's Poetry: Poem of the Day
Archived 'pieces'
Where to find 'more'
I THINK SHE LIKES ME
(Rivalry)

Boy, you know I think of you like a brother
a kid sibling to throw around
mock, humiliate, humor and harass.
But I care for you. This much is true.
Which is why it hurts me so much to say this.
That girl we've been seeing?
I think she likes me
but I know she loves you.

It's obvious in the way she looks at you
acts with you
smiles for you
but especially
it's clear by all the questions she asks about you
when your back is turned
when you're sleeping
when we're on a date.
We get along fine
and I know
with time
I could make her love me
and more than as a brother.
Eventually, I'm sure
she could be mine.
But now
I see
she's yours.

She's a fine prize
a divine occupation
and if you see fit to claim her
to name her like yourself
then I would deem you the wisest man in town
and if you do not
if you discard that which we both crave
then I shall deem myself the luckiest man alive.

The choice, of course, is yours.
The world is yours to affirm
if you have the courage
if you have the wit
if you have the will
to try.
I would have given anything
to not have told you this
to have let our contest go on
indefinitely.
I could have won
Eventually
I think.
But I know
really
you've already won.