He balances himself precariously,
and sinks soft
knowing emotions are veiled in a lace of cunctation–
this yellow sand of ribcage,
that continues to relieve desert memories,
let it be known, he says, they will pour out with touch,
one touch of rosy sunset,
I believe him, for inner sky is grey
and vulnerability is impossible to ignore.
To a Dark Moses; I plead and describe cold sheets,
tell of nights smothered in scent of damp cedar,
petals, violet
and bruised settled under the wood,
and observe as he deals with succulent cactus,
rounded as a globe,
lifetimes unraveling in his brows,
I reach out and speak with fingertips,
for words seem insufficient, seem barely enough–
why do we forget that heat’s forceful palms disturb
one’s careful disposition?
I am inclined toward the calm his voice offers;
I listen, as wet and falling primroses,
tiptoeing out of a world that no longer exists,
only fragments remain—tell me,
when was the last you slept soundly?
And though, it costs you nothing,
give me tears to conjure odes and sonnets from,
ironwood shadows,
that beg, let darkness kiss lower lip plate with ease,
I am in love with the idea of you,
of shape, that refuses not rivers to run,
and eyes that shoot daggers when required,
the only thing that keeps from being lethal is
that moves are unquiet–
I gaze bewildered and observe him laugh.
I state plainly; I ponder in awe, how we,
two infinitesimal beings, living in a world dominated by
chaos, could overcome the odds,
and be lovers—if I am the moon,
then he is the cloud that arches in vicinity,
could the impossible ensue, so that I could tap into
the prison of his days and set him free?
I am a Poet besotted by monologue,
by dunes reborn,
just then a raven settles on bare branch outside,
only to whisper and in a burst of motion
rise and glide away–
“remember, it’s always content of character that matters.”
Picture courtesy: Pinterest
This poem is inspired by the title of Lucille Clifton’s poetic masterpiece for Valentine’s Day 💘
Posted for Poetics: This Valentine’s come and state it plainly @dVerse Poets Pub
So much to praise in your Valentine’s poem, Sanaa, especially the earthy descriptions of vulnerability in the lines:
‘his yellow sand of ribcage,
that continues to relieve desert memories,
let it be known, he says, they will pour out with touch’;
‘…observe as he deals with succulent cactus,
rounded as a globe,
lifetimes unraveling in his brows’;
and
‘I state plainly; I ponder in awe, how we,
two infinitesimal beings, living in a world dominated by
chaos, could overcome the odds,
and be lovers…’
Awww gosh! Thank you so much, Kim 😀 so glad you enjoyed it! 💄❤️
Happy Valentine’s Day! 🍹
So lush and ripe, this is a juicy peach of sweetness, I can taste it. This is exquisite.
Thank you so much, Christopher 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
This was a stunning read! 🌹
Thank you so much, Colleen 😀 so glad the poem and its imagery appealed to you 💄❤️
Such a beautiful and stunning poem today Sanaa. The last stanza is my favorite. Happy Hearts Day!
Awwww gosh! Thank you so much, Grace 😀 so glad you enjoyed it! 💄❤️
Sanaa congratulations on another masterpiece! Your use of language is amazing and i was hanging in to every word. Love is blind and it can make us blind. I think any two souls can become lovers but they’re not always destined to be together. ❤️☺️
Awwww gosh! Thank you so much, Christine 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
Such beautiful ways you look into this person in this piece, and into yourself Sanaa. Excellent honest sensual piece of writing my friend… 👍🏼🙂✌🏼❣️
That is such high praise! Thank you so much, Rob 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
Very nicely done,Sanaa. I really liked this line…
And though, it costs you nothing,
give me tears to conjure odes and sonnets from,
ironwood shadows,
that beg,
Thank you so much, Dwight 😀 so glad the poem and its imagery appealed to you 💄❤️
Perfectly romantic❣️
❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Powerful last line, Sanaa.
Thank you so much, K. Hartless 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
Fantastic!!!
much❤love
Thank you so much, Gillena 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
Much love back 💕🥂
Sanaa – this is beyond lovely – I hope you shared it with him.
You are so perfectly suited for the Valentine’s Day poetry prompt <3
~David
Thank you so much, Ben 😀 so glad the poem and its imagery appealed to you 💄❤️
Being in love with the idea of love is why we all write love poems — but it’s like choosing the door marked “Lecture on Heaven instead of the one “Heaven.” Great for the poetry but ain’t much about loving. The heady invitations are all here (everything entices), even the wilderness of worldly chaos — why not a dark moses to stride boldly and command love’s body? For the surrender is the failling. Only it never works in poetry except as ennui. A mirror singing. The builder of character. Great challenge Sanaa, great response.
Thank you so much, Brendan 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
It had to be you … it had to be you who had the honor of posting on the most romantic day of the year!!!
A beautiful, luscious poem, Sanaa.
Awwww gosh! Thank you so much, dear Helen 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
“I am inclined toward the calm his voice offers;
I listen, as wet and falling primroses,
tiptoeing out of a world that no longer exists,
only fragments remain—tell me,
when was the last you slept soundly? ”
This entire poem is so heartfelt….so raw. Speaking plainly of love indeed.
Sensual and soul searching, a wonderfully reflective poem, and so swoony.