there was sweet Annie
dark eyed Karen
smouldering Maryanne
the loves of my teenage years
I was too awkward
to keep
others followed later
to grace or taint my life
but those three
linger in dreams
while most others
melt away
and so I send my love
and a bang
on the ear*
5000 miles and more
to the loves
I was foolish
not to use
the words needed
to have them stay

*a bang on the ear is an old Celtic expression meaning to give a kiss or a pat on the head