Rancid Memories

Rancid Memories

A Poem by Jeremy Baker

Memories, of happier times,

of love and warmth and tenderness

turn rancid and decompose;

a hallucination at best; a nightmare:

what is love, after all, but an untamed incubus?

 

When falling in love, or for love, take care

that in falling you do not step in it.

No matter how effort is expended,

one cannot clean it off - its residue permeates

and lingers still, poisoning a fitful slumber.

 

Yet always the hot headed and passionate

will brook no deviation from this weary and

well-trodden path. Obstinate until death that

love cures all; there is no cold compress to

cool rampant ardour available.

 

Birth of romance; the afterbirth: a relationship.

Shattered hearts are signposts of un-navigable waters

littered with floating corpses of the naive.

No, these memories are transient and dispossessed;

itinerant thieves of hearts and soul.

© 2011 Jeremy Baker


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...
. very brutal ... very, very brutal ... but brilliantly written ... sometimes i think the purpose of these memories is to inspire mesmerizing poetry and powerful expression ... just so the reader knows ... that it was the experience behind the words that was poetic ... even if it ended ... or seems to have ended ... whichever the case ...

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.




Reviews

I really enjoyed this write and I love your style.."Shattered hearts are signposts of un-navigable waters" ..Excellent choice of words..xx

Posted 12 Years Ago


The awful crush of love! How ironic that what seduces us so irresistibly into its web can so easily rip us apart! How admirably you have drawn this!

And yet, as someone has said, "Don't hate love!"

Posted 12 Years Ago


i like the way it was so brutally honest. it shows how when you love someone and it fades, it turns rancid. i love it, jeremy.

Posted 12 Years Ago


painful...well written. I love the idea of rancid memories. Gives me the impression tht u have held on too long to memories tht were once upon a time sweet. Great write

Posted 12 Years Ago


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AJM
Really really love this poem, second stanza is extremely evocative. Well done!

Posted 12 Years Ago


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...
. very brutal ... very, very brutal ... but brilliantly written ... sometimes i think the purpose of these memories is to inspire mesmerizing poetry and powerful expression ... just so the reader knows ... that it was the experience behind the words that was poetic ... even if it ended ... or seems to have ended ... whichever the case ...

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Stinging, painful, but evocative and lyrical. Nice work.

Posted 12 Years Ago


The risk we assume when we fall in love is laid out with honesty here. As always your choice of words is impeccable and shines with obvious intelligence. Keep up the good work!

Posted 12 Years Ago


This is an interesting piece. The word choice, diction is carefully chosen and the emotion in this is deep and sensual. It is a play of realism and you do this well. "Magic, power and simple romance of words well written' indeed!

Posted 12 Years Ago


awesome poetry..your words sting right through!
im awe-stricken!

Posted 12 Years Ago



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Added on July 10, 2011
Last Updated on July 12, 2011

Author

Jeremy Baker
Jeremy Baker

Busselton, South West, Australia



About
I'm a former English & Literature teacher who has always enjoyed the magic, power and simple romance of words well written. My favourite writers include Pablo Neruda, Liam O'Flaherty, Anthony Eaton.. more..

Writing

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