(poems from 1989 to 1994)

by Valentina Kaquatosh

Introduction 

I don't think I have EVER been happy with love and lovers. Shortly after I graduated from high school in 1989 I went on something of a "love spree" -- obsessed with finding someone to wake up with for the rest of my life, but I just ended up waking up with that stranger I slept with last night. Go figure. Friends often remarked that I enjoyed being lovelorn, that I got off on all the misery I put myself through. If that was true, you may read about it in the poetry I wrote at the time. I went from constantly chasing lovers to sitting still as far as dating is concerned!  

The following is what I like to call "My Paper Trophy". It is what remains of my lost relationships and sexual experiences. Some people end up with a golden "trophy" in the form of an engagement ring. Others get perhaps the silver committment ring. And others still get the lasting prize of the Paper Trophy: a long paper ribbon of sad poetry we use as an emotional release. I'm not kidding. You most likely have one yourself, you just may have not looked at it in a long while or perhaps you just don't need it anymore. 

Yes. This is very much my bitching board of young love angst and bitterness. Some of the poetry here is, to my surprise, not that bad, yet read on with discretion and take into consideration that you're reading the stuff of a lonely heart.

Pick up and touch My Paper Trophy