#9 Take My Hand and Try

(Josie Sayz: This is poem number nine from my ‘Checkmate’ anthology. This is a role reverse sort of theme; it’s not something I’d say, it’s what I need someone to say to/reassure me.)

I catch you looking at me.
I almost couldn’t believe
That it could be true,
Because I like you too.
But every time that we’re close,
You act so uptight.
I need to find a way to show you,
That everything’s alright.
So, take my hand and try.
If you think it’s over
Why don’t you realise,
We can take it slower.
So come on closer,
Come on over
And just take my hand and try.
I brush my hand on your knee.
There’s that blush I can see.
My cheeks turn red too,
From the feeling of you.
But as we get a little closer,
You take a step back.
I guess I feel a little scared too,
But I need you to know that:
Just, take my hand and try.
If you think it’s over
Why don’t you realise,
We can take it slower.
So come on closer,
Come on over,
And just take my hand and try.
Everything has changed,
Don’t know what you're missing.
Nothing stays the same,
It's a new beginning…
So come on closer,
Come on over,
Just take my hand and try.
Take my hand tonight,
Because it’s not over.
Maybe you’ll realise,
That we’re not over.
So come on closer,
Come on over,
And just take my hand and try…

- Josie -

#8 Broken

(Josie Sayz: ‘Broken’ is the eight poem from my ‘Checkmate’ anthology. This one has a slightly more serious tone to it.)

I guess I’ve noticed it for a while,
It’s just I’ve kinda been in denial.
The way you smile, I know it has changed.
It’s like your whole life has been rearranged.
You were the one I’d always run to.
But there is something deep inside of you.
The light that was there has burnt out and died.
You always say you’re fine – now I know you lied.
You are broken.
Someone has pulled the plug on you.
You are broken.
The spark has gone from your eyes too.
Nothing that I say no more
Will make you feel alright.
I guess it just seems like
Someone has turned off your light.
It’s not the same no more when we’re alone.
Now your eyes have turned as hard as stone.
And I know that something’s missing.
I guess it wouldn’t hurt in wishing.
Maybe together we could figure this out.
Because I wouldn’t want to live without-
You, and knowing that you’re by my side.
I know there’s something wrong – please don’t run away and hide.
You are broken.
Someone has pulled the plug on you.
You are broken.
The spark has gone from your eyes too.
Nothing that I say no more
Will make you feel alright.
You used to love the day,
Now you just want to say goodnight.
Sometimes I see you try to go the extra mile.
When you’re alone with me is when you try to smile,
But when someone walks in you avert your eyes.
It’s like they’re making you wear some weird disguise.
I guess it hurts that I can’t read your mind.
It’s almost like they’ve got you hypnotised.
If I could only get you to forget them.
Maybe you could be yourself again.
You are broken.
Someone has pulled the plug on you.
You are broken.
The spark has gone from your eyes too.
Nothing that I say no more
Will make you feel alright.
All I can do is pray
Something will switch back on your light.

- Josie -

#7 You Don't Know Nancy

(Josie Sayz: This is seventh poem I wrote for my ‘Checkmate’ anthology. ‘Nancy’ is referring to Nancy Spungen – and I you don’t know who she is… how can we be? – on a serious note, just type her name into a search engine. I loved a line in ‘The Dollyrots’ song ‘New College’: “You’ll be my Sid again/And I’ll be Nancy Spungen,” and the poem kind of sprang from there. I even referenced ‘The Dollyrots’ towards the end of my poem, “Can’t you be the Luis to my Kelly?/‘Cause I’d be the peanut butter to your jelly.” This was just a whole lot of fun to write.)

You, you're into all those video-games,
Things that explode, fast cars and aeroplanes.
I see you dancing to that hip-hop beat,
You can really sing and you're smooth on your feet.
And you really love the car that you drive,
Speeding down country lanes makes you feel you're alive.
You always act like you don't care,
But secretly I know you style your hair.
There are so many things that I know about you,
I just wish you knew about me too...
I like taking long walks in the rain,
Gazing at stars under the window pane.
My favourite book is Barrie's 'Peter Pan'
And I really, really, really wanna go to Japan.
My favourite character is Marty McFly
And most days I pretend I'm a spy.
You like the day,
But I come out at night.
Whilst I do some yoga,
You start a fight.
So how can we be
If you don't know Nancy.
Me, I like walking home with you in the dark,
Rainbows, fairy tales and picnics in parks.
I know your secret fear that nobody knows,
Your favourite movies, songs and TV shows.
And when you're nervous you run a hand through your hair,
But it's when you blush I really know that you care.
You make me laugh, but you don't understand,
It's more than a crush when you're touching my hand.
There are so many things that I know about you,
I just wish you knew about me too...
I like taking long walks in the rain,
Gazing at stars under the window pane.
My favourite book is Barrie's 'Peter Pan'
And I really, really, really wanna go to Japan.
My favourite character is Marty McFly
And most days I pretend I'm a spy.
I'm scared of the water,
But you hang out at the dock.
You listen to hip-hop,
But I like punk rock.
So how can we be
When you don't know Nancy.
Sometimes you really make me mad,
But leaving you would make me feel sad.
Sometimes you really can't see
Just how much it is you mean to me.
You give me butterflies whenever you smile,
Even when I haven't seen you in a while.
And I forgive you every single time
When you don't know my favourite movie lines.
We are so different and I just don't know,
How we hang on and don't let go...
'Cause:
You hate being out in the pouring rain,
Gazing at stars drives you insane.
You don't believe in Barrie's 'Peter Pan'
And you said you never wanna go to Japan.
You don't give a hoot about Marty McFly
And you said I'm no good at being a spy.
Can't you be the Luis to my Kelly?
'Cause I'd be the peanut butter to your jelly.
You'd be the rhythm to my rhyme.
We could be together 'til the end of time.
Who am I kidding? Why couldn't I see,
How hopeless this fantasy could be?
Maybe I just need a genie,
As you'll never be my Sidney.
So how can we be,
Because you don't know Nancy.

- Josie -

#6 Isabelle

(Josie Sayz: ‘Isabelle’ is the sixth poem from my ‘Checkmate’ anthology. Inspired by the line, “She thinks I’m psycho ‘cause I like to rhyme her name with things,” from the Taylor Swift song ‘Revenge’.)

 
You ask me if I'm okay
And I tell you that I'm swell.
I know that you'll believe me,
'Cause you can't read me that well.
You lead him by the hand
And make him look into your eyes,
But I'm not scared because I know
He sees through your disguise.
You'd be so surprised to find
I know more than just your name.
Everything you do and say,
You're playing one big game.
You're new in town – oh Isabelle.
You wanna get to know him well.
I kinda wish that you had fell,
Or that I'd pushed you down a well.
You know I'm never gonna tell,
I don't like you that much Isabelle.
You sneak up right behind him
With your skirt so short and tight.
You wrap your arms around him
And you lead him out of sight.
But he won't give in and kiss you,
Not even on the cheek.
He knows he's not your boyfriend, see,
He's taken and not weak.
You'd be so surprised to find
I know more than just your name.
Everything you do and say,
To you it's one big game.
You're new in town – oh Isabelle.
You wanna get to know him well.
I kinda wish that you had fell,
Or that I'd pushed you down a well.
I think I need to cast a spell,
To get rid of you, Isabelle.

- Josie -

#5 Quicksand Indiana

(Josie Sayz: The fifth poem from my ‘Checkmate’ anthology. This was an incredibly fun poem to write.)

The first time we met you said to me,
“Never met a girl like you before.”
The next thing I know, I’m sat on your knee,
You said you wanna get to know me more.
And since then my whole life
Has been a rollercoaster ride.
Everything you do and say
Is leaving my tongue tied.
Sometimes I think: ‘I wanna marry him someday’.
Sometimes when I see you I just wanna run away.
You’re quicksand Indiana.
Always leaving me whilst you go off
On another adventure.
But when you give that smile,
I find it hard to turn away.
You’re quicksand Indiana.
Already figured this
And I should’ve known better.
The more I try to run
It’s hard to move away.
Because you’re quicksand Indiana.
Yeah, you’re quicksand, Indiana.
On our first date to impress me,
We walked by the pet store.
I thought you’d be brave when the snakes scared me,
But turns out you feared them more.
Sometimes I find you disappear
For weeks and weeks at a time.
But when you suddenly reappear,
You still convince me that you’re mine.
Sometimes I think: ‘I wanna marry him someday’.
Sometimes when I see you I just wanna run away.
You’re quicksand Indiana.
Always leaving me whilst you go off
On another adventure.
But when you give that smile,
I find it hard to turn away.
You’re quicksand Indiana.
Already figured this
And I should’ve known better.
The more I try to run
It’s hard to move away.
Because you’re quicksand Indiana.
Yeah, you’re quicksand, Indiana.
The more I look,
The less I see,
But then you smile,
And I just can’t seem to flee.
Although I know
You’re grips on me,
I’m all alone
And my heart just can’t believe…
You’re quicksand Indiana.
Sometimes I think: ‘I wanna marry him someday’.
Sometimes when I see you I just wanna run away.
You’re quicksand Indiana.
Always leaving me whilst you go off
On another adventure.
But when you give that smile,
I find it hard to turn away.
You’re quicksand Indiana.
Already figured this
And I should’ve known better.
The more I try to run
It’s hard to move away.
Because you’re quicksand Indiana.
Yeah, you’re quicksand, Indiana.
Quicksand Indiana.
Never run. Never hide.
Quicksand Indiana.
Wonder if you made it up and lied.
Quicksand Indiana.
I wanted to believe.
Quicksand Indiana.
I wanna run, but I can’t leave.

- Josie -