Introduction:
Grace was falling in love for the first time. Now a young adult back in the 1970s. It’s such a unique experience. Nervous excitement and fear spun around in her mind and body. Feelings that have never been felt like this before in her young life. Thoughts, full of the excitement and fear of what ifs, leading up to her first date. Beverley Joy.
Book Excerpt – The Wilted Rose Part 3 – The Wilted Rose and my poem – The First Date
Rugged up in her beanie, scarf and jumper, Grace watched on from the beach as Alex surfed the cold grey waves. He wore a full-length wetsuit, and still, Grace shuddered at the sight of him in the water. She was comfortable and warm in her new flared denim jeans. She felt rebellious in them; they were no ordinary garment, a symbol of her newfound free will. They were the first pair of pants she had ever owned. Women in her church were forbidden from wearing pants or makeup. They lived a life of many restrictions, and Grace had been astounded to discover that some of the other young people in her youth group didn’t even have a television set in their home. Now that she was earning her own money, she would wear jeans and makeup everywhere except to church.
Alex came up the beach, dropping his surfboard on the sand. He picked up his towel and dried off, sitting down next to her.
‘I wish you didn’t have to go home tomorrow.’
Grace smiled sadly at him.
‘Will you write to me?’
‘Of course. Every week. Make sure you write down your phone number for me too.’
Grace ignored her brothers’ teasing as they travelled back up along the East Coast toward home. She was head over heels in love, and she didn’t care what they thought of it. Gazing out the window, the breathtaking landscape passed by her eyes, but she didn’t take it in. Her mind was elsewhere, replaying every precious moment of the last week over and over in her mind.
To be continued…
Kate Kelsen Author © All Rights Reserved
BUY a wilted rose for Christmas (eBook)
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
AUDIO – The First Date
The clock was ticking, I was waiting to hear your footsteps at my door
So romantic, so debonair, I basked in your adoring flair.
As you entered into my world I nervously tripped on my words
Awkward glances, friendly banter.
I said too much, I went on and on revealing my heart, opening my soul
It left me feeling vulnerable, ‘Will I regret it tomorrow?’
I came out of my shell feeling happy and whole
But is that the me that he wants to see?
Throughout the date, we reminisced over common interests and music
We shared stories of our adventures, and dreams past, present, and future.
‘Am I over the top? Was I too much? Will he re-consider or prefer someone else?’
I’ve lived my life as a captive bird, now the cage is flung open, I’ll fly upward
It feels so strange, so alien that I might fly back in and hide again.
No one ‘knows’ me, I don’t ‘know’ myself, but I like what I feel, it’s exciting stuff.
Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry 2012. All rights reserved.
You can listen to all my poems on several podcast platforms here
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Simply Story Poetry 
Leave a Reply