Love Poem: Prom Night 1982
Kimberly Hilton Avatar
Written by: Kimberly Hilton

Prom Night 1982

I remember lying in the midday sun
Body slathered with Johnson’s baby oil,
I was almost fifteen and barely needed to shave.

I remember my mother in the yard
Telling me to come in because
“You know you’ll only get burned.”

I remember our ride to the dance
A red 1964 Ford Galaxie 500
You spent hours fixing it up while I sat nearby.

I remember my baby blue dress
your tux with ruffled shirt to match
a blue boutonniere and a wrist corsage for me.

I remember the prom’s theme
“We’ve Got Tonight” by Bob Seger.
Who needs tomorrow?

I remember you only wanted to slow dance
but I didn’t argue
I was happy just to be close to you.

What I don’t remember is how it all ended
“Let’s make it last, let’s find a way.”
It seems Seger was wrong after all.