once upon a time
the sound of your name caused me to groan,
and I bemoaned those who claimed that
you were not:
pretentious,
a menace,
honestly, who ever met a boy more
daft-minded,
foolish,
controversial,
all-around idiotic
(and just plain rude!)
boy as yourself?

now the sound of your name causes me to
smile.
the slightly happy,
slightly goofy
twirl the hair,
you may well stare,
blushing
/smile/
of someone who
may just
could positively
- slightly -
be
well,
you know,

. . .

in love.

. . .

with you.

(but I still don’t take back all the bad stuff.)