ATIBA OXLEY POETRY

These outbound calls got me angry,
I cannot even sell a VG.
No rental calls to transfer,
Not even one to answer.
The call count stays on zero,
The hands on the clock is moving slow.
These lack of calls got me thinking,
My paycheck will continue to be light and shrinking.
Finally, someone answered their phone.
For 35 seconds, I do not feel alone.
She decided to save her week for another time.
Cheap timeshare owner didn’t want to spend a dime.

It’s like I’m speaking to fire.
Of this I’m starting to tire.
It’s like I’m playing with a pitbull.
Of this nonsense, I’m full.
It’s either I get burnt or bitten.
Of this feeling, I’m not smitten.
All this raises my level of stress.
Of this, I cannot get any rest.
Like the leaves in fall, your emotions turn.
Of this lesson, I will learn.
This story is not brand new.
This is what it’s like talking to you.

Optimism is a hell of a thing.
It can make you laugh, cry, and sing.
Optimism can make you lose you breathe.
It can make you fight to the death.
Optimism can tear down walls.
It can even make oppressors fall.
Optimism can make the weak fell strong.
It can right any wrong.
Optimism is not certain.
It will leave you hurting.

It’s time I start breaking all the rules.
Doing things I wasn’t taught in school.
Life is as hard as it is already.
Feeling like the deck is stacked against me.
Being successful was my only intention.
Life has me moving in a different direction.
The King, Queen, Jack, and Ace,
Are holding me back from running my race.
I see an opening, I see the light.
Time to reach for it with all my might.
Life has shown that being successful is not my fate.
Forget being successful, I want to be great.

So I was thinking,
Of a time not long ago.
About when all I wanted,
Was to be with you and grow,
To have a lifetime of memories,
And a journey to be explored.
What we had together,
Other people adored.
But just like a flower’s beauty,
The leaves turn brown.
Our love floated up,
The came crashing down.
Leaving in its path,
Broken hearts and shattered dreams.
A flood of emotions,
But it’s not bad as it seems.
Being away from you,
Opened my mind.
It shows me the reality,
That true love is hard to find.
It makes me think of what I had,
And appreciate the things for me you’ve done.
I’ve realized that I didn’t need anyone else,
And all the time you were the one.

If I was your Valentine,
I’d pick you up from your house.
On our way to our date,
I won’t be quiet like a mouse.
I’d be respectful to you,
And ask you how your day went.
While reassuring you that,
You’ll enjoy the time together we spent.
I’d smile and complement you,
Telling you how good you look in that dress.
Whenever you ask me if I’m having fun,
I’d look you in the eyes and answer yes.
I’d hand you a bouquet of roses,
That I had hiding on the backseat.
Then you’d look at me with a smile,
That would definitely increase my heartbeat.
At dinner, I’ll pull out your chair,
For you to have a seat at the table.
Then I’d have a seat and place the napkin,
On my lap to cover as high as my navel.
You’d order red wine,
Because you’ve heard its good for your heart.
Then question me about,
If getting appetizers is a good start.
I’d look at you with a smile,
And tell you what you want me to say.
Of course without a doubt,
Today is your day, Valentine’s day.
You’d receive numerous compliments,
About how beautiful you look in candlelight.
You’d enjoy the food,
And the ambiance is to tour delight.
When dinner is over,
We’d go for a little walk.
For us to prolong the moment,
And also to have a lil talk.
You’d compliment me on how great things went.
Smiling bright, your face will be beaming.
A Valentine’s day to never forget.
Then I’d awake to realize I was dreaming.

When I look at you,
And see your smile happen.
I’m full of amazement,
As to me this is not often.
I cannot say that I know,
The pain that you feel.
Because to you,
It does not feel real.
So all I can do,
Is offer my support.
Be a shoulder,
Or a star that leads north.
I’ll always be here,
Standing proud and tall.
For when you need me,
I’m waiting for your call.
It doesn’t matter time,
Whether day or night.
Ready to defend you,
With all my fight.

That smile,
Brings back 1000 memories.
Not bad,
But all the ones that are good.
Reminiscing,
About my highschool crush.
If I could travel back in time,
I would.
So I can tell her how I feel,
Looking in this beautiful eyes​.
Like magic,
Again my stomach has butterflies.
It’s always been the reason,
I’ve kept my mouth shut.
My words through your heart,
I could only hope to cut.

You see me coming thru,
Now you don’t know what to do.
You remember that you hurt me,
When u told me that I’m not worthy
Of beholding your treasures
And receiving your pleasures.
You hide so u don’t see you,
But I already saw your blue suede shoe.
I smile, I turn, and I ignore,
Because its you who is now insecure.
You see me walk in with my new girl,
Whose smile lights up my world.
Whose puckered lips make me melt.
All the feelings for you I once felt.
You and I used to be cool.
Now you hiding looking like a fool.
They say karma is a bad bitch.
One whose hurt is like a bad itch.
You stand there embarrassed and jealous,
My feelings for you no longer precious.

If I had 1 wish,
You’d be my best friend.
I’d give you all my love,
Everyday until the end.
True to my heart,
One day my knee will bend,
Asking to have you in my life,
All the way to the end.

If I had 1 one wish,
I’d be closer to you.
We’d walk holding hand,
To call me, you’d say boo.
Roses you’ll get,
Every day a dozen new.
I’d do my hardest,
To make your dreams come true.