Poem inspired by the title of Edna St Vincent Millay’s poetic masterpiece.
What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why
seemingly enticing at first, as wildfire is, but oh after
as shards of glass that prick the skin; and laughter
for feeling that takes much longer to die,
than sunrise to replace the raven-coloured sky,
like the beginning and end of every chapter,
of taste, of aftermath and buds that bloom but half were
and song that continues to stream from eye.
I regret not flavorful past nor do I cry,
of which my fingers turn pages until they are sore,
but instead recount past lover’s sigh;
so as to soothe the pain, as rugs used to cover the floor,
the wind, the rain, the sleet and snow in turn testify,
amid shaken boughs promise there’s more.
Photo credits: Pinterest
Sarah is our lovely hostess tonight at dVerse where she invites us to write about the valentines that didn’t happen. Come join us! 💝
Posted for Poetics: After St. Valentine left the building @dVerse Poets Pub
34 Responses
Bittersweet indeed and finely wrought.
Thank you so much, Anna 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
This is somehow sadder and yet more hopeful than the original. It’s one of my favourite poems, I think you really do it justice here, and I’m glad you spotlighted it. I love the way memories soften sadness, as rugs soften floors – such a clever image.
Thank you so much, Sarah 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
(and thank you for the glorious prompt)
I love what you did here… even in sadness you write romance so well.
Thank you so much, Bjorn 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
I like this more formal poem of yours. it’s sweetly melancholic, rocks gently.
Thank you so much, Jane 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
So very well done.
Thank you so much, Sascha 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
No regrets is best!
Absolutely! Thank you so much, Lynn 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
A lyrical but sad poem. Beautifully done!
Thank you so much, Grace 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
There’s more here than meets the eye. Interesting turns of phrase make this a satisfying read.
Thank you so much, Shay 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
How can love every be bad, even failed or lost love? The heart is magnified as much in losing as gaining. This is a poem by one in possession of this.
Thank you so much, Brendan 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
A poem from you posted here is always a wonderful treat –and by the second and third lines..the poem had already taken my breath away..enticing at first, like wildfire….I am swept away, into such incredible patterns created by words…so nicely done Sanaa…an amazing read..
Thank you so much, Ain 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
So full of wistful regret! But I love that you end on a hopeful note 💕
Thank you so much, Ingrid 😀 I loved writing this one 💄❤️
So poignant, and yet still romantic. Beautifully written, Sanaa! 💙
Thank you so much, Merril 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
A sonnet! Well done. and I love the interior rhyme with “after[math]” and “half were”
Thank you so much, Alexandra 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
Sweet to bitter, bitter to sweet, I love how you end with a promise of no end.
Thank you so much, Mary 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
I love your poem of lessons learned and put underfoot! No regrets, there is more and better to come!
Thank you so much, Dwight 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
the sorrow is palpable here; yet hope remains… beautifully done, Sanaa.
Thank you so much, Lisa 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
Beautifully crafted, Sanaa! Poignant yet not without hope…❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Punam 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️