The Girl in the Avatar

First off, I'd like to thank my good friend Cris A for challenging me to write this poem. As a kid, I was a knucklehead and almost never turned down a dare, which made for good companionship one would say. However, this sort of challenge doesn't involve the police, fire department, or any ambulances to drive over to where I am and would go as far as saying that it's safe. Little did he know that I used to write a lot of poetry (including haikus), or what I thought to be poetry when I was a teenager many moons ago. Truth be told, I entered one of my poems into a contest when I was sixteen and won an Editor's Choice Award for it (I'm still not sure how prominent that actually is to be honest). Writing poetry and short stories has always been a passion of mine for many years now.

I'll admit that this is nowhere near my best poem, but it tells the story of the two of us and that alone makes this poem special and personal to me and hopefully, to her. In fact, this shouldn't really be called a poem, but a ballad that is ours. So after reading this, feel free to tell me to stick to fiction. I'll listen.

I'd also would like to thank Rayna H. Hurman whom this poem is dedicated to, because without her, I would have stopped believing a long, long time ago. A few Hubbers asked me who the "girl in my avatar" was and I responded by dancing around the question. The truth is, her and I shared much together and still keep in touch. This poem is a ballad of our time that is rich in history. I won't delve into exactly what transpired between the two of us, but I will say that she is still and always will be in my heart. This one is for you, "Rayna H. Hurman," with love.

“Hello,” you said,

“Hello,” I said back,

She’s cute, I thought,

As my heart went pitter-pat.

But she’s too young for you,

So forget it, move on.

Find someone else to woo,

Like that middle-aged blonde.

Later on, you came and asked,

In your most vulnerable voice,

“Could you walk me to my car?

I have no other choice!”

So like the man

you wanted me to be,

I acted brave, I played the part

and acted accordingly,

"How old are you?" you asked.

"No your not!" You said after I told you,

"If that's true, then you're wearing a mask!"

"I get that all the time," I said.

"Okay, so how old are you?"

"Older than you think," you told me,

"And old enough to be with you."

And be the one you've been looking for, I thought.

Thought I was so clever

When I texted you,

“Give me back my heart!”

And you replied, “Never.”

I remember that autumn,

And remember it well,

Admiring your eyes

while under your spell.

But the season was stolen

and we were its thieves.

Our hearts interwoven;

like macaroni and cheese.

I think back to a time

When I was yours

And you were mine.

Our future, a half-open door.

Always a threat: That fine-line.

Our fate chosen, united as one,

We hoped like hell

to make our break and run.

So many memories I

Wouldn't want to erase

Even after sanguine hope,

Fell flat on its face.

So wherever you go,

no matter how far,

you'll forever be

the girl in my avatar.

© Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Dear Rayna,

Maybe someday we'll be together, Rayna. For now time and distance separates us. I hope that you enjoyed this and hope that one day the world will let us be. Until then, I'll always love you and you know that, sweetie. Thank you for providing me with hope. There is no peace without you.

-Dohn