Bad Reputation
Friday night again, and, I’m home alone.
My friends are all out with their dates.
But, no one calls me on the phone.
Unless it’s the kind of call I hate.
I have a bad reputation.
“No, I’m not that kind of girl”, I say.
They say “That’s not what I have heard.”
“I heard you will go all the way”
I slam the phone down without a word.
I have a bad reputation.
Because I went out with the football star.
It was fine till he decided to park.
I stopped him before he went very far.
He said “No one jerks around my heart.”
I have a bad reputation.
Ever since that night, rumors spread.
Kids would rather believe shit.
They wouldn’t believe what I said
Instead they rubbed my face in it.
I have a bad reputation.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
It was the next door neighbor, Dave.
I was so shocked, I nearly hit the floor.
”Would you like to go to a movie?” said Dave.
I have a bad reputation.
I said “What’s up? You know my reputation.”
“I don’t believe a word of it, I say.”
What I heard must be my imagination?
I said “What, —-What did you say?”
I have a bad reputation.
He said “I’ve wanted to ask you out for years.”
“I have always been too shy to ask you.”
“Then when I heard the rumors it brought tears”
“I knew the rumors could NOT be true”
But,– I have a bad reputation.
“I determined to ask you out, no matter what”
“I would defend your honor to anyone, you know.”
I was in shock. “yes” I said with trembling gut.
I had never known that Dave liked me so.
Bad reputation,—be gone..
That first date grew into sincere love.
We got married soon after graduation.
Placed on a pedestal high above.
My reputation now shines like a gold creation.
——————————————————-R.W. Johnson—-(2011)