for a real one

1.

We met four years after you

jumped the broom too soon.

 

By then you were the living dead.

Your husband fathered a child

 

with another woman, knowing

you always dreamt of being a

 

mother. And he shot down your

self-confidence every time he

 

loaded up his pistol while

awaiting his next call of duty.

 

2.

You needed healing so

I became your healer.

 

If I’m being honest, you’d

said, I’d take a bullet for you.

 

That’s how solid

our circle became.

 

The city so nice they named

it twice was our muse, and

 

literature was the lyre we loved

playing. Then I moved away.

 

3.

Years later I saw your face in

the clouds. You were smiling.

 

And I wondered—what ever happened

to the broom. Then we met again.

 

You swept me off my feet!

 

But then you realized that

I was never good with brooms,

 

only mops, for cleaning up

messes I frequently made.

 

4.

I always encouraged you to

pick up the broom and give

 

love a second chance—not

for me, but for your new man,

 

someone you should really

take a bullet for. We never

 

met, he and I, but I know

what he’s got. I just hope

 

he does too. It’s remarkable

for anyone to jump the broom,

 

fall, and then lace up again

for a second spring.

 

5.

I’ll never forget how

you were there for me

 

when I tried jumping and fell.

Oh the fuck well, but then

 

you went on about how I

simply forgot to lace up first

 

and how silly mistakes are

meant to make us laugh.

 

Then we laughed. At least

you’re still on your feet,

 

even though I was drunk

on cherry wine.

 

6.

Eventually I came to.

 

And standing out the most

was the immense importance

 

of tying my shoes before

tying the knot, a hard lesson

 

learned, never to be forgotten,

ever to be understood.

 

52 Responses to “Ladybug”

  1. Courtney Cooper Kessler

    Probably my favorite. Your talent never ceases to amaze me.

    Reply
    • Ricco Wright

      Ah, shucks, Courtney! You’re making me blush. Haha. I’m glad you enjoyed this though. I’m still wondering whether I should give “Shot” a shot. Hehe. We shall see.

      Reply
  2. Kiana Scott-Bey

    .splendid.excellence.

    Reply
  3. Diana

    Loved it! Amazing.

    Reply
  4. Artisha

    Absolutely amazing

    Reply
  5. Lisa

    Beautiful

    Reply
  6. Victoria

    The details here are spot on, Ricco. The shoe laces, the cherry wine, the second spring.
    Bravo!

    Reply
    • Ricco Wright

      I’m honored to receive such a praise from you, a poet whom I admire. Thanks for your commentary. And for paying attention to detail. Too much cherry wine at one time is a slippery slope.

      Reply
  7. Irma

    Speechless some people can relate

    Reply
    • Ricco Wright

      Not knowing who can or will relate to what you create but creating anyhow makes for a wonderful journey. Thanks for all your support.

      Reply
  8. Patrice

    This resonates with me, feeling mix emotions. Excellent writing! It takes me back…

    Reply
    • Ricco Wright

      Well, I’m glad it resonates with you. I’d be happy to talk further with you about your experience and mine. Who knows, our discussion might lead to greater clarity and understanding for us both.

      Reply
  9. Mike

    Eloquent material!

    Reply
  10. Dina

    Real and mind boggling

    Reply
  11. FRANK COWIE

    Very deep, inspirational and romantic lyrics. The topic was well developed where you demonstrated the skillful use of composition devices(including figures of speech). In addition, the stanza structure and the phrase structure provides evidence of the great thought that you put into this project. furthermore the language was compatible with the chosen theme. Well done Ricco. Keep up the great work

    Reply
  12. LaSonya

    Beautiful and nicely put!!👏

    Reply
  13. Phetote

    Poetry translates emotions into verbal sentiments…and you express them well, brother! WRITE ON!

    Reply
  14. Ashley

    I loved it Ricco! Ladybug… should’ve been titled… Peaches! 😆😁❤️

    Reply
  15. Luella

    Extraordinary literature

    Reply
  16. Hannibal B. Johnson

    Lyrical, luminous, and seductive

    Reply
  17. Andrea Megehee

    I loved this. Adored it, it began sounding like OutKast in my mind.

    Reply
    • Ricco Wright

      For me, an accomplishment is having any work of mine mentioned in the same sentence as OutKast, and you did just that, so I feel accomplished. Very. Thank you.

      Reply
  18. Breonna

    LOVE!!!!

    Reply
  19. Drew

    Powerful, Deep and well done.

    Reply
  20. Shaka D

    Deep bro. Gotta learn to put on shoes before tying

    Reply
  21. Kena

    Inspiring piece of art. Words well put together.
    Awesome!

    Reply
    • Ricco Wright

      Thanks you. I was hoping you’d like this one, because I know what kind of books you used to enjoyed reading in high school. I remember those days as I’m sure you do too. Good times!

      Reply
  22. Chelsea

    Lovely work, thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  23. Nicole

    I’m in awe. Very deep and raw and inspiring!

    Reply
  24. Alex

    The Truth!

    Reply
  25. Dee

    Simply divine!!!! All the feels..men waste a great woman’s time because they simply aren’t ready!!!!!! You can try a million times and you know it will never work!!! Let her go to be great!!! Keep writing!!

    Reply
  26. Johnson

    That’s True love Doc. I enjoyed this I think it definitely opened my mind and made me look at love different and even added value to this word We Kall Love

    Reply
  27. Demetrius Chisholm

    I dig cuz didn’t know u can write. I’ll be publishing works soon

    Reply
  28. Tonya

    Very well written! I love the analogies and metaphors you used. My takeaway remember to tie my shoes before I jump the broom again 💚😁. Keep writing and flowing.

    Reply

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