Twenty-Nine Little Cups of Coffee

Beware what lurks in the shadows of love

Love is not

A kind friend bending

Lazy in the breeze

It is not a flower

Or gentle tidings

 

Love is salt

And wheat and

New cut grass

A good look in the mirror

When you

Don’t like what you see

 

Love spanks the

Air you breathe

And what fills your lungs

Is neither health

Nor rain

 

Do not be fooled

Love is a jealous mistress

Waiting impatiently

At the gates

For you to make

A mistake

 

Look but never

Seek because those

Words do not soothe

And unless prudent

You will inhale

A black wanting

Withering and helpless

On the vine

 

-Zoe Richardson

Author's Note

Happy Valentine's Day

Reviews

[Matthew Kult]

Bitterly romantic, but such a lovely write. I much enjoyed.

Great read.

With love

Matthew

[Zoe Richardson]

There is bitterness. At the time I wrote this, my marriage and my life were falling apart. I have moved beyond the bitterness now, although I do not seek romantic love. It never ends well for me, but I do enjoy seeing others for whom it is a delight.

[Sami Khalil]

To each his own; everyone has his, her experiences in romantic love or not.
It takes two to tango, but it takes one to suffer and be free. Trial and error. Buyer's remorse.
Very honest, sincere and powerful poem.

[Zoe Richardson]

I cannot believe in romance. I have heard about it all my life and yet my experiences have taught me it is a myth. However, others may have vastly different experiences. I prefer freedom, because freedom has brought me greater joy than love ever did. But I salute those who found love. May it be all they expected it to be!

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! To eah his own. No blame or fault. We all have different experiences. You are welcome Zoe

[1809 Black Plague Decem..]

Hellos, Zoe, it really touches my senses of provocatively,
I ah, do endear the marked words of a jealous mistress
just awaiting for a mistake, great work! great write! ----Maynard

[Zoe Richardson]

It's quite the bitter draft, isn't it? Those who say it is better to have loved and lost have never loved and lost. Lol. I am glad you think this is provocative. That was just what I was aiming for!

[1809 Black Plague December]

awesome, my Dear, :P

[Ken Simm.]

Love is indeed salt but not just that. It is rubbed in salt and all the feelings that entails. Rarely fun but somewhat inevitable. This love poem says a lot but strangely and wonderfully from the other darker side. That no one wants but usually ends up with.
I had to come back and give this lovely poem, in every sense, more thought.Extraordinary.

[Zoe Richardson]

I love to wrap the dark in the innocent. Maybe it's my bipolar brain, but I always have the sense of being two different people at once. Of course, I could just be barking mad. Lol. I am glad you wanted to re-read and give this piece more thought. I won't say I intended great complexity when I wrote tie, but I managed it all the same.

[Arundass TP]

A beautiful poem on love. Enjoyed reading 🙂

[Zoe Richardson]

Thank you! Please stop by again. It is always nice to see a new face.

[emmajoygreen]

Your words are delicately but honestly laid, Zoe. People fall in love but it takes time to realise that love has nothing to do with 'falling' but in 'rising' into a space of, 'This is me', flaws and all.' From there, maybe, the words both sigh and smile: I love you.. or, 'I'm sorry'.

[Zoe Richardson]

This poem was my declaration of independence from romantic love. For me, it was an excuse to tolerate bad behavior. I have risen to that place, and found freedom far more enjoyable. It's radical thought, but I've never been one to take the easy road! I love how you brought your own experiences and meaning to my words. That is what makes poetry so special and amazing.

[emmajoygreen]

I read you poem twice, hoping to find what you meant, is too easy to forget the words are someone else's - yours, and put too much of one's own interpretation. But hopefully I managed to do the right thing, Zoe. Wonderful work! .

[Zoe Richardson]

Oh, absolutely you did! A good poem should evoke a different meaning in each reader. For some, it may be a warning. For others, a requiem. Some may read it as a lesson learned. It's amazing to me how a poem can evoke so many different responses. None of them are ever wrong.

[emmajoygreen]

An glad that you say that, people can be quite over dramatic at times, bear deliberately wanting to see things not even hinted it.I am apt to go all over the place, leave far too long reviews sometimes but, try to redeem myself by adding quotes from the posted piece of writing!

[Zoe Richardson]

I try to say only positive things. It is a very brave act to put your work out there. No one should have it hacked to pieces. I don't mind a short review. Or a long review. I'm just glad someone read what I posted!

[emmajoygreen]

Am laughing, Zoe, because i completely agree with your final comment! It's almost a ginormous surprise at times, yes?!

[Zoe Richardson]

It is! It is an even bigger surprise when someone actually likes it. Especially my rhyming poems. Rhyming poems almost always get crucified.

[emmajoygreen]

Guess we have to take criticism now and again, as long is kindly said and meant to be helpful. Any other type is just plain arrogant and best ignored!
Strangely, find meter quire hard, apt to offer pems and have been criticized for not using meter! So, is best to fly for yourself but learn to ask for help from someone who can be very helpful and kind.
Bossy. aren't ?! All those agreeing, raise your hands and surrender to freewill!!!

[Zoe Richardson]

I am always willing to help a fledgling poet. Or an established one who wants to explore new ways of writing poetry. There is nothing to be gained by being harsh. I had someone who claimed to be a 'published writer' tear my poems to pieces. Claimed he could make me a better writer. Let's just say I had a few choice words to say to him. Not about my poetry. About his arrogance. I am not here to have my work shredded. I am here to share, discuss, praise, and commune with fellow writers. I know my work has reached a level of quality I am satisfied with. I don't need to be 'improved.' Not by someone who thinks being a published writer is to self-publish a series of fiction on Amazon that no one buys. lol

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

This poem is a powerful and evocative exploration of the complexities of love. The use of vivid sensory details, such as "salt" and "new cut grass," creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy that draws the reader into the speaker's experience.

The lines "Love is a jealous mistress / Waiting impatiently / At the gates / For you to make / A mistake" are particularly striking, highlighting the sense of urgency and intensity that can come with love, as well as the potential for pain and disappointment.

The final lines of the poem, which describe the dangers of seeking love without prudence, are a poignant reminder of the ways in which love can be both beautiful and destructive, depending on how we approach it.

Overall, this is a beautifully crafted and thought-provoking poem that captures the complexity and nuance of love in all its forms.

[Zoe Richardson]

You are so very kind! I apologize for being tardy in my response. My non-writing responsibilities have been many and tiresome. Love is complex. I like to think of it as a life-size puzzle box. One that is welded shut and cannot be solved. Thank you so much for stopping by and for your thoughtful insights into my work. You are indeed pleasant guest.

[Ken Simm.]

I totally agree with all the sentiments espoused above. But I couldn't say them as well.

[Zoe Richardson]

Thank you! But don't sell yourself short. Anyone who loves language and poetry can learn to excel at it. You should read some of my first musings!

[Ken Simm.]

This is true. You should read some of mine.

[Tom]

Thoughtful musing with advisory notice, indeed, love can be oh so sweet and oh so bitter even bittersweet all at the same time, a taste both pleasing but with an acid like sting, best take nothing for granted!

Inspiring!

[Zoe Richardson]

Why, thank you kind sir! And my apologies for the long delay. I haven't had time to think, much less write. I have found romantic love leaves a bitter taste in one's mouth and a bad hangover when it departs. I gave it up for Lent several years ago and haven't missed it!

[John the Baptist]

I don't think this one is in danger of being mistaken for First Corinthians Thirteen. This love is jealous, suspicious and alert for mistakes. The last stanza is a frank warning: Abandon hope, ye who enter here.

[Zoe Richardson]

I don't believe in romantic love, soul mates, happy ever after or any of that rot. It's a well marketed ploy to distract from divine love. Now, I try to let God love people through me. I enjoy my freedom and walking with Him!