Not the sigh of skin against skin, nor its echo,
not the soft bloom of heat beneath your touch.
Not the wine’s red silk upon the tongue,
nor the low murmur of your voice in the dark.
We are not the spark that ignites desire,
but the smoke that lingers after.
We are not the flame that consumes,
only the ember that whispers of its heat.
What do we hold, if not the ache of longing,
or the velvet press of lips undone?
The curve of your body, the hum of your breath,
the shadows that coil where light cannot tread.
There is no escape from this hunger,
no end to the ache it breeds.
We reach into the darkness, desperate and bare,
and find not solace, but the fire,
endlessly burning through the void.
Photo credits: Pinterest
Bjorn hosts on dVerse where he invites us to use negation in poetry. Come join us! 💙
Posted for MTB: Via Negativa @dVerse Poets Pub
26 Responses
I really wish I had the energy to write something like this which talks of love as it really is (or should be) I love the fire metaphors which become so much more vivid when negated.
Thank you so much, Bjorn 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
(and thank you for the glorious prompt) 🥂
This verse is written into chocolate, with its myriad of luxurious tastes, each velvety syllable savoured. This is sensually elevated to pure art
Thank you so much, Ain 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
phew Sanaa – that second verse especially is sensational
Thank you so much, Laura 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
It was a fun form to work with 🥂
Another awesome write Sanaa
Much♡love
Thank you so much, Gillena 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
Beautiful and passionate voice. Love the opening verses most specially
Thank you so much, Grace 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
The fire of desire burns hot all throughout your poem, Sanaa. I love what you did with this one. Wonderful writing!
We are not the spark that ignites desire,
but the smoke that lingers after.
Thank you so much, Dwight 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
what a stunning picture you paint of desire
Thank you so much, Rog 😀 so glad the poem and its imagery appealed to you 💄❤️
So sensuous, Sanaa. The final lines are stunning. One of your best, I think. 💙
Awww gosh! Thank you so much, Merril 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
I believe, no matter our age, that fire / the burning desire / remains in all of us / though it may be diminished / until we are no more. A beautiful poem, Sanaa.
Absolutely! Thank you so much, Helen 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
Sanaa, your poem is tasty enough to eat!
❤️❤️❤️
Mmm…if passion is not red-hot fire dripping like melted chocolate from your words, then I wonder what it is! 💗💗
Thank you so much, my dear Punam 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
A sensual delight!
Thank you so much, Sara 😀 so glad you liked it💄❤️
Wow, Sanaa! That was beautiful!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
❤️❤️❤️