Her Name Was Sharon

Her name was Sharon

It had been 50 long years,

the thought of seeing her

brought up old fears.

What if we shared

a night over dinner,

and she felt nothing

I wasn’t the winner.

Way back then

at Mt. Eden High,

the simple sight of her

left me with a sigh.

Now visits on the Web

via occasional emails,

each message from her

put wind in my sails.

I confessed to her

of my long ago crush,

she wished I had told

instead of the long hush.

Then the other night

as I entered the room,

my eyes did search

fearing a shaded gloom.

What if she canceled

and didn’t come after all,

the night would be wasted

as my hopes would fall.

Then like the moon

all silver and aglow,

I glimpsed her there

and a smile did show.

So soft and gentle

she showed a grace,

her body seemed perfect

for satin and lace.

I had to smile

and even gave a little snort,

she didn’t think she was popular

now a queen with her court.

I approached with caution

my heart on my sleeve,

if I was rejected

I’d simply have to leave.

We smiled at each other

so subdued and polite,

but my eyes ate her up

and I was full of delight.

So happy to see her

no matter the cost,

just to be near

I was again so lost.

Oh dear Lord what

have you gone and done,

so very smitten

I just wanted to run.

But she held me there

such a wonderful vision,

her face with a smile

my newly found mission.

I approached so slowly

with confidence and charm,

but as I neared her

I heard that familiar alarm.

What was that noise

from where did it come,

it’s only my heart

beating like a drum.

Something about her

had always made me smile,

a gentle loving radiance

I could spot from a mile.

I left her alone

to bask in her glory,

a constant flow of men

each telling their story.

The night was closing

my feelings did smolder,

I mustered a quiet thank you

and kissed her on the shoulder.

As I drove away

my heart it stalled,

I didn’t have her number

and she never called.

Gary Cramer

October 20, 2014