Becky

©1996 Dave Clegg

She’s still there among the shadows 

Of my distant recollections,

Where lesser memories are fading fast.

As ageless as a diamond, 

And just as pretty as she ever was

In Mrs. Howard’s class.

So quietly she sits there,

With her hands politely folded,

Sometimes, her picture fades a little, too.

Then, someone mentions something

About someone named Becky

And her face comes into view. 

My first love was Becky 

She could send me to the sky

With her smile, although she was

Only twelve, and so was I. 

And I don’t know if Becky

Even knew I was alive,

But when I hear that name,

I think about her still...

I can see myself there standing

At my Safety Patrol crossing,

I’d shine my badge and wait for her to pass.

Hoping maybe this would be 

The day I finally got the nerve to say

Hello, at last. 

With my helmet tilted slightly,

Just like Little Joe Cartwright, 

I’d search for something interesting to say,

But, as we walked in silence, 

Between those two white lines

Another chance would slip away. 

When I picture that old playground,

She’s the only thing in color,

Surrounded by a scene in black and white.

Yellow hair and a big blue bow

Neatly tied behind a checkered dress,

Oh, what a sight!

Then, she walks back to the classroom,

Finds her desk and sits politely,

Folds her hands and takes her place among the past.

And while there have been other loves,

And even though I thank God 

My first wife will be my last,

My first love was Becky 

She could send me to the sky

With her smile, although she was

Only twelve, and so was I. 

And I don’t know if Becky

Even knew I was alive,

But when I hear that name,

I think about her still...

And always will.