Pretending to be Bukowski: A Poem Collection

Georgian Boy (In Another Life)

Author's Note: Dedicated to N.

In another life, maybe it would be different.

Maybe I wouldn't be scared into silence,

Terrified of talking to you, a boy who never speaks,

And time closing in on me,

Resulting in yet another missed chance.

In another life, maybe I wouldn't make a fool of myself,

Trying to be funny but instead saying something mean,

All because of nervous stammers and anxiety,

Desperate to befriend the cute foreign exchange student,

And failing because of a predisposition for being awkward.

In another life, maybe I would understand,

Understand why my heart beats faster when I see you,

Why my legs seem to vibrate when I try to talk to you,

Why my words fall out of my mouth in a clumsy stream,

And why I'm transfixed on a boy I've barely talked to.

In another life, maybe I would have a chance.

I wouldn't be so anxiety filled or awkward,

Or you wouldn't be so shy and would start something,

Instead of my current life of cursory glances,

And holding my breath when I catch your eye.

In another life, maybe fate would let us win.

You wouldn't live over 6,000 miles away,

Or we would have more time to be acquainted.

Maybe I could be the one to make you smile,

And maybe you would do the same for me.

In another life, maybe we could be a "thing."

Kissing, cuddling, always showing off the love,

Smiling, laughing, enjoying each other's company.

Being obnoxious, taking far too many pictures,

I'd be all yours, you'd be all mine.

In another life, maybe I wouldn't be saying "What If?"