Imagination vs Reality

by Andrew Rexford

In my mind, we met again

in a coffee shop in passing,

on a sunny day.

In reality, we started texting again.

In my mind, we were both older,

more mature, wise, and over

the past.

In reality, we argued

over politics.

In my mind, we started again fresh,

like strangers meeting

from a past life.

In reality, we argued

over values.

In my mind, we lived happily ever after,

balancing passion with the hardships

and mundanity of life.

In reality, we argued

over perspective.

In my mind, and in reality,

the only and final way

to show my love for you

is to let you go.

Maybe only then,

can we dance

together for infinity.

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Authors notes: this poem is a personal one, but I believe it show’s a situation a lot of people can relate to. Coming to the realization that romantic love is not enough to keep a relationship going is a tough one, and the inner conflict of rationality and emotion can be a lot. Sometimes something seems great in fantasy and idea, but it just can’t work out in practice. And when it comes to relationships, it’s always a painful but important lesson.

My inspiration for the format of this poem was the ending montage of “500 Days of Summer” where the screen is split into two different depictions of the same scene of the main character and his ex girlfriend meeting again (although in the movies case it’s by chance and not the two reaching out to each other.) The first depiction was what the main character fantasized would happen, while the second depiction was what was happening in reality. Thus the comparison of fantasy and reality. The two were the same scene for a bit, until reality kicked in and the main character’s romantic view was shattered. As the scene dragged on, the comparison between the two became sad, and even so far as pathetic.