The Moth, The Moon, and Me

 

 

Like a moth, I am drawn to the light

as it leans against the window ledge.

I dream to hold what I have no right

that beckons beyond the outer edge.

 

I flutter my wings in sweet rejoice

wanting to shatter the window pane

as it muffles the sound of your voice,

and I wish to bring it home again.

 

You read Baudelaire by candlelight.

"Sadness rises in me like the sea,"

who loves you more than I have the right

when your love was not destined for me.

 

I fall down in faint of love and shame,

my wings waving one final farewell,

and smolder in sonnets of your name

that cause my frangible heart to swell.

 

 

Author's Note

Reviews

[Poetic Beauty]

It’s never easy to love someone who you know is not the one destine to be. It takes time and lots of soul searching. This is a heartfelt poem about the loss of a love that once was beautiful

[Richard🖌]

Sighhh~*
An enthrallingly-beautiful, poignant love poem, if ever there was, to rival any yet stroked upon parchment by a golden pen ~ filled with stardust ink.
I've read many poems depicting a moth to the flame scenario, but none that soar to the poetical heights yours does in magnificently composed 9-count, abab quatrains, that flow like quicksilver down the page to pool into my every fiber.
Gosh, Linda, this is absolutely gorgeous writing, that virtually dances out off the page into your readers' breast … I mean, it has to; how could it not arouse and awaken the romantic tenderness of every poet fortunate enough to have read it? I cannot answer that, because surely it has had that effect on me.
I tried, I really tried, but there is such balance throughout, that there is not one line or verse I could single-out over another.
To be honest, Linda, the last verse literally made my heart swoon, but it was each before that led me there.
Would you mind me sharing that I think you are amongst the most accomplished poets I've had the pleasure of enjoying? I don't want to embarrass you, but I am sincere about this … your meter, spot-on rhymes, emotional timbre, and moment, the ambiance and power of feeling your word choices build, both caress and stun the senses.

Ach! I could talk your eyes off and never expound upon everything … so, for now, let me simply offer a warm thank you hug, Linda, and give you a break from my profuse outpourings … LOL! ~ Richard

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I could but wish to be as good as you prescribe but ever endeavor to make it so. I fear I have been set up or a tremendous fall. :-) You are very kind. Thank you.

[ANM]

Beautifully written! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this poem...

[Joyce S. Greene]

Sensational poetry, Linda! I love your piece and look forward to reading more of your work.

[J. Alfred Prufrock]

another very fine and introspective piece, and again I love the photography. "frangible" i'm unfamilair with this word, what does it mean? i loved the mood this set, the atmosphere.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you. :-) Frangible means fragile.

[Forest Green]

Beginning an almost salutary address, known by much usage, the verse quickly establish a unique and compelling style and meaning all its own. Depth of absence is nicely, geometrical demonstrated in the mix of heart tones.

[Jack...]

Once more the longing in your words touches my heart. The flow, meter and rhyme of this poem is wonderful as it takes wing before our eyes and flies us through the deepest places in your heart. Linda, you have a gift for lifting us gently and showing us how it feels to want. Very nicely penned.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Jack. :-)

[Dean]

Your work seems to catch one by the heart, and there is no escape...not that one wants to, of course

[emmajoy]

A wonderfully dramatic and passionate, beautiful guilt; a need a second, an emotion many must envy. You write so delicately yet all those words fill the air with amazing power; this is incredibly potent.

'You read Baudelaire by candlelight. ~ "Sadness rises in me like the sea," ~ who loves you more than I have the right ~ when your love was not destined for me.'

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you so much. :-) Your sentiments mean the world.