To the right was a thicket laden with berries;
mostly red but some of them dark,
gesturing to the ones who dared to go close,
and so, it tells us that Spring
would arrive soon to stir the land–
violin vignettes
as grass grows fond of lover’s limbs
and chiffon white sky.
To the left was Hades resting in his chamber;
offering a familiar ache,
the desire to drown oneself in soft things,
a look, a touch, a kiss
so sweet so as to tempt even Persephone–
I stand against walls, coloured as vanilla
and contemplate
what it would be like if I said yes.
Temptation as though cinnamon and spice,
as green hills luscious with want,
here the sun is amber gold
and roses conspire to bargain with breath,
it’s a risk one willingly takes–
but wait, what we don’t know won’t
tempt us,
now that is a plot twist worth a thousand
and one pomegranate seeds.
I remember when a poem was just a poem,
when skin wasn’t worshipped,
and bodies didn’t melt against mauve
and grey clouds,
I am helpless, for the universe lies in the bowl
of his lips–
Hades, aware that fervour would soon direct
my thoughts, sought
to take temptation away and put me to sleep.
Just when it was getting good, sigh.
Photo credits: Pinterest
Posted for Two Opportunities to join us LIVE @dVerse Poets Pub
24 Responses
HA.. Love those surprise endings.
Thank you so much, Judy Dykstra 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
Ah Sanaa, as ever such delicious respite and nourishment on every visit here. Your writing always pulls me in with its rich sensitivities. I thought this was particularly masterful and creatively seductive
“… the desire to drown oneself in soft things,
a look, a touch, a kiss
so sweet so as to tempt even Persephone–
I stand against walls, coloured as vanilla
and contemplate
what it would be like if I said yes.” Just brilliant…
Thank you so much, Scott 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
Such a great ending to your sensual dream of a poem, Sanaa. It made me laugh. 💙
Thank you so much, Merril 😍 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
Your “chiffon white sky ” was stunning. Good to hear and see you read
Much💚love
Thank you so much, Gillena 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
Much love back 🥂
Very well done, Sanaa. Great to hear you read it today. Temptation comes in many forms… very subtle and strong!
Thank you so much, Dwight 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
The poem as the gap between Eden and Hades igniting with eros, energizing steps toward the delicious precipice. The trick is to gape there and never fully quench.
Absolutely! Thank you so much, Brendan 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
The choices are never simple or clear. Great ending.
Thank you so much, Kerfe 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
Oh my gosh. This poem really speaks to me… I don’t take risks now, but I did in 2016…
Aww gosh! Thank you so much, Paula 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
Gorgeous. I love this line especially “I am helpless, for the universe lies in the bowl
of his lips– ” I know the feeling!
Thank you so much, Jennifer 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
to take temptation away and put me to sleep.
Just when it was getting good, sigh.
Love the close Sanaa! A perfect twist to a lovely poem as always!
Hank
Thank you so much, Hank 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
You stir memories of younger days when temptation was near enough to give in to with this beautifully written poem rich in evocation and wry humour…
Thank you so much, Frewin 😀 so glad the poem and its imagery appealed to you 💄❤️
Ending with a plot twist worth a thousand and one pomegranate seeds? I like it.
Thank you so much, Priscilla 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️