Those Girls Poem by Keith Shorrocks Johnson

I used to keep a score and tick the list
Of names of girls who'd graced my bed
And on command they'd keep a tryst
And parade their beauty round my head.


It was a dream that froze and broke
As time took down my selfish youth
And I began to hear when women spoke
And saw when beauty was or wasn't truth.


‘I love you' were the words so lightly said
To lively smiles and curves and curls
Amusedly among the years that fled
Leaving loss and wonder in their stead


Now as careless boys and older lovers will
I set you free but hope you love me still.