New Orleans, where puddles remain stubbornly free of ice
or at least that’s how it seems as I picture them
in my mind,
breath quite invisible
as if warmer season’s speaking from an alternate time
and place in the universe—
I am more comfort than chaos,
more ground pepper than allspice as heartspur takes control,
glimpse of green shoots arising
already from the earth, there are certain things
we need to be mindful of.
Balletic willow wands embrace the wind, give the sense
of etherness
even though surrounded by inky black sky,
why do city lights repel every cord?
Put a damper on the heart just before the crack of dawn?
There isn’t a moment left to steal,
no daily adventure waiting round the corner as soul draws
in and roams,
why is it that body throbs differently while thinking of him
beneath cogitative clouds?
Tie a cherry blossom to my wrist,
wield a sword so as to battle aphasia growing by
the minute,
I am more empathy than indifference,
more fire-brick nostalgia than blue-violet polysemy—
come walk through the streets with me,
my eyes
remain awake as morning songs become white noise;
and then the alarm goes off suddenly.
Photo credits: Lush Life, Loui Jover
Linda hosts at dVerse and invites us to write using a list of words from a book
called “The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows,” by John Koenig 💝
Posted for Poetics: The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows @dVerse Poets Pub
38 Responses
‘I am more comfort than chaos,
more ground pepper than allspice as heartspur takes control’
– your words are a delight for the senses, and also surge with a hidden strength, ever present beneath the beauty of romance!
Thank you so much, Ingrid 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
‘Tie a cherry blossom to my wrist’- I am captivated by this line Sanaa. Beautiful!
Thank you so much, Linda 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
(and thank you for the glorious prompt)
I really like the thought of imagining a place where you would find a place, a home. I can easily imagine New Orleans to be such a place… and this is very much a dreamscape to me.
Thank you so much, Bjorn 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
You set the scene so well in that first stanza, with those short, short lines that make the reader glide through effortlessly, and then…it really opens up..love those mysterious lines, the cherry blossom, the swords, the hints of sensuality, the conflict…wonderful
Thank you so much, Ain 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
The heart writes its poems on paper like this, dreamy and light as a beloved glance.
Thank you so much, Brendan 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
So romantic and idealistic is the poetess’ dream! I lived outside of New Orleans for a few years and it is magical! Loved the use of the word aphasia and the line “I am more empathy than indifference.” 😍
Thank you so much, Tricia 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
You had me at “more fire-brick nostalgia than blue-violet polysemy”. Your surrealistic smooth journey is like honied tea on a winter’s day–hardy, healthy, happy. This piece is less romantic and more existential than usual .
Thank you so much, Glenn 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
So dreamlike, in the alternate time and place. I specially love the nuances of spring season e.g. Balletic willow wands and Tie a cherry blossom to my wrist.
Thank you so much, Grace 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
Sanaa, I am becoming addicted to reading of your love. It is exquisite and precious.
<3
David
Thank you so much, David 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
why did that alarm have to ring. i was enjoying your words to much to wake.
Hahaha 😀 Thank you so much, Roger 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
It is clear that you love words and have loved using all these new ones!
Thank you so much, Kim 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
There are no words to express how much I love the flow of imagery in this poem, Sanaa, a carnival of senses in the streets of New Orleans! Grabbed by this line: “why is it that body throbs differently/while thinking of him/beneath cogitative clouds?” Why indeed? Rich in love and beauty.
Pax,
Dora
Thank you so much, Dora 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
A lovely cascade of sensuous imagery, Sanaa! As ever, I feel soothed by your lines, there’s always something reassuring to find. My favourite lines:
“Balletic willow wands embrace the wind, give the sense
of etherness”
“I am more empathy than indifference,
more fire-brick nostalgia than blue-violet polysemy—
come walk through the streets with me.”
<3
Thank you so much, my dearest Sunra 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
The ending took me by surprise! I was too, in your dream.
Thank you so much, Mary 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
Well you did wake us out of reverie. Thats good
Much💟love
Thank you so much, Gillena 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
Much love back ..
Sanaa, your poetry is pure pleasure…I didn’t want to awaken!
Thank you so much, Lynn 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
Our dreams often give the clearest glimpse into our longings. New Orleans is a poet’s landscape for sure.
Thank you so much, Kerfe 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
So delightfully sensory! New Orleans comes alive in your words, Sanaa. ❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Punam 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
that damnable alarm.
the cherry-blossom wrist image is quite vivid, and all of it ~
Thank you so much, M 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️