A Reaction In Four Parts
A Reaction in Four Parts
When I asked if this was what you wanted,
you wouldn’t give an answer. The cancer
of uncertainty gnaws at my muddled
mind as I look back and wonder if all
this time was just a game when I saw you
in goodnights and birthdays and holidays
and futures. What sutures do you use to
close the wounds of unanswered thoughts? Perhaps
the good is lost in the bitter flavor.
When I asked if this was what you wanted,
you responded with anger. A stranger
emerged, unwilling to talk, to give a
glimpse of what was beyond the steely stare.
I’d praise you for your perseverance, your
unwavering commitment to this last
decision, if only I could know my
words would even be heard. No pity in
your words, to make letting go easier.
When I asked if this was what you wanted,
there was sadness in your tone, screaming through
the words that reluctantly emerged. I
could feel that you felt the pain that you dealt,
even as you said it didn’t matter.
Your subtle silences spoke volumes. This
was special. We were special. But that can’t
matter when you know that special can not
overcome unconcluded history.
When I asked if this was what you wanted,
you wouldn’t give an answer, because the
answer is clear: what we must do is not
always what we want.
More Posts from Laceandpaper and Others
New Years Eve - Rachel Schneider
Medium:
Prismacolor Pencils and Sharpie on Paper
To Save A Wretch Like Me
In an attempt to inspire myself to start writing again, I have decided to gradually post the poetry collection I wrote during my last semester of college. It tells the story of two young lovers caught in an unhealthy relationship, confused by the values they've been brought up with, struggling to figure out what directions they're meant to take in life. A lot of the poems are still rather rough and I welcome feedback, but as a whole I hope you enjoy the collection.
Without further ado, I shall present poems from the collection, To Save a Wretch Like Me. To begin, part one: Temptation
Track 2
I said I never want to see you again
(with anyone but me). The jazz
from the record player challenges
you to leave. Your words break my
bones (but your kisses are a splint).
Believe me, I can live without you
(if I’m already dead). I swear I’ll
go on if you leave (everyone else
behind). Push and sway in time,
give away your heart (it’s mine).
Forgive and forget is so cliché.
I say never give away the past.
To Tokyo, With Love
Long lost lover living out
of sight, out of mind. I find myself
forgetting how it was to lay
eyes upon you, to lay beside
the water, to feel the soft caress
of your whispered words on my
waiting ear. Lover half a world away,
I no longer remember the sharp
glint of your smile, the sensuous
depth of your laughter. All I remember
Is your impossible perfection. Absence
makes the heart grow ill, poisons
memories to be larger than
love. Stay away lover, I fear
you’ll rob me of my love for your
image. I have broken a commandment;
I idolize your memory above you.
To Tokyo, With Love
Long lost lover living out
of sight, out of mind. I find myself
forgetting how it was to lay
eyes upon you, to lay beside
the water, to feel the soft caress
of your whispered words on my
waiting ear. Lover half a world away,
I no longer remember the sharp
glint of your smile, the sensuous
depth of your laughter. All I remember
Is your impossible perfection. Absence
makes the heart grow ill, poisons
memories to be larger than
love. Stay away lover, I fear
you’ll rob me of my love for your
image. I have broken a commandment;
I idolize your memory above you.
Addiction
Kiss me until it’s cliché and
I’ll tell you I hate you. Drugs
will kill me. Too bad I’m addicted.
You are the lemon in my tea.
Squeeze into my wounds.
The sting makes me love you more.
Our warmth chills me to the bone.
A yarn sweater unraveling
as you pull mine off in the
backseat of your car,
idling in my empty driveway
when I get home.
This end is a beginning
for better and for worse.
Lover, I cannot stand you.
I will run from this bi-polar
love affair. Run into your arms.
Give me a kiss. Push me away.
Even the unending waves must
come and go with the tide,
pulsing steam on frozen windows.
-
wucrnos liked this · 1 year ago -
translationsoftheinvisible liked this · 10 years ago -
laceandpaper reblogged this · 10 years ago
