Thursday, December 1, 2022

WEP - The First Time

 

Photo by Katie Harp on Unsplash


THE FIRST TIME

 

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

my heart began to race

time stood still

the world withdrew

I saw only you.

 

The First Time

I instantly understood

you'd slay the dragon

release all fears

you were the answer to all my prayers.

 

The First Time

your kiss

shattered all doubt

ignited desires

passionate fires.

 

The First Time

your touch destroyed my defenses

heightened my senses

ignited a blaze

I want replayed.

 

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

I immediately knew

you'd be my love most true

your devotion was mine

throughout all time.

***

Yolanda Renée © 2022

Nothing can surpass the lyrics of the song or Roberta Flack's version. 

 This poem was based on a blind date that turned to love at first sight.

Tagline: Love defined.


If you want more. Here's an excerpt from a WIP.


Her Mona Lisa Smile

 

Zane wandered through the Eden Gallery, unaware of the magnificent art surrounding him. Instead, his mind was on his career. He'd built a reputation in New York as a heart surgeon. Yet he was ready to throw it away for a quieter, less stressful life.

"How can you even consider leaving?" Emma said quietly.

Zane shrugged. "I'm thirty-five going on seventy because my days are filled with constant life and death situations, not art." Zane was about to chug his third glass of champagne when he spotted her. He stopped cold and just stared.

It can't be. She's…No. It's not possible. 

And yet it couldn't be anyone else. The same reddish-golden hair. Deep green eyes and a smile that would melt the coldest heart, light the darkest room, and cause his heart to beat like a drum. His body had the same reaction gazing at a painting of her as it had when they'd met in person.

He moved closer. On the exhibit label was the name of the artist Troy Handleson, the name of the painting, Sunrise in Paradise, and another title in parentheses, Her Mona Lisa Smile. Zane chuckled. It was clear from the emphasis on the girl in the painting that the sunrise was not the feature.

Zane's mind traveled back ten years earlier to a homecoming party at Penn State. The party was in full swing when he saw her enter the room. She had a vibrancy that surpassed the celebration of the thousands of screaming fans when Penn State won their game that day. The girl had an alluring smile, bright, sparkling eyes, and long luxurious locks that fell in soft curls over an exquisite body. He knew instantly that she was the one.

The girl he would marry. There was only one problem, she'd walked into the party on the arm of Harris, the star quarterback. Zane did his best to learn all he could, and a friend told him her name was Brandy. He thought it an odd name for a goddess, but names didn't matter.

God answered his prayer when she accepted his request for a dance. She beguiled him. He was speechless, caught in her spell, and lost in the emerald green and gold of her eyes. The warmth of her touch threatened to betray a very physical response. He wanted nothing more than to see her silken tresses cascading across the pillow as he...

Blocking the fantasy, he finally found his voice and learned her nickname was Randi, not Brandy.

"Cassandra is too formal. Randi is more down to earth," she told him.

Whatever name she went by. She was perfection. He discovered she was a high school senior visiting the campus but hadn't decided where she'd attend.

"Why should I choose Penn State? She asked.

"Because I'm here," he said.

She smiled. "Aren't you a senior?"

"I'm going for my master's. How'd you meet Harris?"

"We've known each other for years. He's such a hero, isn't he?" She said dreamily.

Zane wanted to converse. Randi wanted to dance. And as easy as that, he had a second chance. He pulled her close for the slow dance and did his best imitation of Fred Astaire. She responded beautifully, the crowd parted, and they were a solo hit. Of course, he didn't want the music to end. But when it did, she kissed his cheek and squeezed his hand.

"Maybe in a different time," she said and walked out of his life and into the arms of Harris. But she'd already stolen his heart.

*****

A slight breeze riffled the sheers covering the wall of windows that looked out over the Atlantic Ocean. A brilliant blue with rolling waves and a bright cerulean sky filled with feather-like clouds. The white caps dissolved into smaller and smaller breakers as they raced across the sand. Randi was so lost in thought that neither beauty, the sun's warmth, or the cries of seagulls could break through. She read, then re-read the email.

Randi:

A mutual friend, Troy Handleson, gave me your email address. Naturally, I wanted your phone number, but as a good friend should, Troy was protective of your personal information.

Please accept my deepest condolences. I know this is a bad time for you, but if you ever want to talk. I'm a good listener.

I'd like to know you better, and the funny thing is…we've met before. A story I promise to share on our first date.

In the email's signature, Zane Winters gave his New York address and phone number. Randi, now simmering with anger, called Troy. "Who the hell is Zane Winters?" She shouted as soon as he answered.

"Oh, my God, I'm so sorry. I intended to text, but I had so much fun at my opening that I completely forgot. Zane bought that sweet portrait of you. The one I titled  Her Mona Lisa Smile," Troy explained.

"Portrait? You didn't…. I never gave my permission."

"But you did. I asked you what I should do with the portrait I'd done of you for HIM, whose name shall never be mentioned. And you said, whatever I wanted."

HE was Randi's ex, and all her friends knew better than to mention his name.

"No. I said, destroy it. You claimed it was valuable. And I said whatever!"

Troy laughed. "So, I took a little license with your response. Can you blame me? My best work and the highlight of the show. I couldn't destroy perfection. Damn, girl, I got thousands more than I was even asking. And because of my artistry, the man fell in love with your Mona Lisa Smile. Hell, his girlfriend even hired me…."

"Why would anyone pay that much? God, Troy. What he bought was my email address. Holy Hell, what have you done? Sold me out to some creep? After Damon! How could you?"

***

979 Words

Yolanda Renée © 2022

Tagline: Chance meetings.

30 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

More please. She says greedily...

Nilanjana Bose said...

Now he'll have to win a hostile goddess back...how's he going to do it?! I'm so glad you didn't stop just at the poetry. Though that is brilliant too. But it finished so fast. Both poem and flash superbly done, loved reading...1000 words is not enough.

Jemi Fraser said...

I love both of these!! I hope Zane and Randi find their way to their HEA!

Rajani Rehana said...

Beautiful post

N. R. Williams said...

I'd be angry too, but I'm glad she won't stay that way. Zane and Randi forever.
Nancy

Olga Godim said...

A lovely poem. And an intriguing story snippet. I hope they find their way towards each other.

Denise Covey said...

Both poem and flash superbly done, loved reading both. It's great to see that extract from your WIP. It's going to be a ripper!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Sue. I'm working on it! :)

Yolanda Renée said...

True love isn't easy. Thanks, Nila!

Yolanda Renée said...

I hope so too, thanks, Jemi!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Rajani!

Yolanda Renée said...

I'm sure they will. Thanks, Olga!

Yolanda Renée said...

I hope so, thanks, Denise.

Yolanda Renée said...

She won't, thanks Nancy.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Yolanda - definitely more please ... a delight - and so much intrigue to unravel into a story for us ... lots of fun and I could see them all ... excellent - cheers Hilary

Yolanda Renée said...


Hi,
Please post.

No matter what I do Google will not let me comment.

Your poem is excellent! I enjoyed it.

Your snippet is intriguing. I wanted to know more.

Have a merry Christmas and a safe crossover into 2023.

Shalom aleichem,

Pat Garcia
__________________________________________________________________________

I was my pleasure to post your comment. Thank you so much for taking the time to email it to me. Above and beyond!

Happy Holidays!

Yolanda Renée said...

I hope so. I'm working on it. Thanks, Hilary!

Nick Wilford said...

I hope this ends well for both of them. Both the poem and story were great.

L.G. Keltner said...

Both your poem and WIP excerpt are wonderful! I want to know more!

A Hundred Quills said...

I loved this Yolanda. I can see a beautiful story in the offing.
-Sonia

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Laura. I hope I get it done.

Yolanda Renée said...

I sure hope so! Thanks, Sonia.

Bernadette said...

Looks like he's got an uphill task in meeting her.

Yolanda Renée said...

Just a bit. :) Thanks, Bernadette.

Beth Camp said...

Wonderful setup for a longer enemies-to-lovers story. Again, those two points of view are balanced in ways that bring out the character of each. Lovely!

Ornery Owl of Naughty Netherworld Press and Readers Roost said...

Perhaps if Zane moves slowly and carefully and doesn't mention her ex, he can win her over.

Jamie said...

Fantastic poem/ song! I love how you did that. Flowed beautifully.

J Lenni Dorner said...

Bought an email address. I wonder if I could sell some of the email addresses I've abandoned over the years because of annoyance? Ha ha.

Cassandra to Randi? I'm never going to understand how names and nicknames work. Is it the "and" letters? Maybe I'm pronouncing both wrong in my head? Cass and Ra (ohh, maybe it's Egyptian?) R and I -- research and innovation? That actually would make a LOT of sense. Am I on to something? I struggle with names all the time. Did I perhaps just learn something? That'd be so cool!!!

We Are!
(Hey, you can't say Penn State that many times, and mention football, without someone shouting that. I'd get kicked out of the state.)

I had a good time reading this. Thanks for sharing. Seasons greetings.

Yolanda Renée said...

There's a reason for Randi. But true is your confusion over nicknames. Where does Dick fit the name Richard????? And on it goes. LOL Thanks for the comment. PA lived there most of my life. :)

J Lenni Dorner said...

From what I read, Dick rhymes with Rick. Where the k is from, I do not know.
Naming customs outside of my people are a lifelong confusion of mine.
Woo, PA proud!