Swept

My love was a dreamer, an artist,

a magical being, my whole world.

He was handsome, one of the smartest,

my constant compass and heart impearled.

He saw beauty where none existed,

folded flowers out of paper squares,

made me smile when I feign resisted,

and the envy of desirous stares.

 

He was greater than I imagined

but so humble like a parish priest;

and he exemplified compassion,

preferring to be among the least.

He was funny, vivacious, and loud.

His laughter was sunlight in the room,

and his touch lifted me like a cloud.

He gave my petals the faith to bloom.

 

He left me for want of the morning,

for rippling water, and eastern sky,

was swept by the tide without warning.

O!  Dear God!  Without him, who am I?

My world crumbled into hapless heaps.

My spine buckled beneath grievous weight.

Tangled time’s inconsolable leaps

are like wicked hands that suffocate.

 

I covered myself in his shadow,

hid what was left of me in a shell.

I held onto … well … I do not know.

It was a torturous kind of hell!

I pocket my past in poetry

until pen runs dry or heart expires.

These are the glimpses that none can see,

the ashes of life that once were fires.

 

Hold onto your love once you find it.

Time is a thread that will unravel.

Be swept by its waves and unbind it.

Love is fickle, and it will travel.

The veil is torn; my eyes are laid waste.

The blue shroud of truth is born of rain.

The salt of the earth has lost its taste,

and my blood runs cold within each vein.

Author's Note

IN MEMORY OF DŨNG TIẾN NGUYỄN.

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Wow, just wow! And BRAVO! This was so fantastically moving and powerful; the love just rushing forth like a volcanic explosion or the rush of a waterfall leaping downward into a waiting abyss. The sadness and longing were overshadowed for me by the force of the love; the binding strength that refuses to be extinguished, even by death. How wonderful to love with such passion, with such compassion and honesty and tenderness. How much more wonderful to have been loved by such! This is what makes life worthwhile; that if by chance we can find such a love in our lives to treasure and share, even for a brief moment in time. The flower blooms and dies but its transient beauty doesn't make it any the less beautiful! If anything, perhaps it adds to the precious quality of life. Frost wrote, "Nothing Gold Can Stay." Nothing beautiful may either, nothing wonderful or awe inspiring. Perhaps we are all just drops of dew on gossamer threads of silk spun by the spider of eternity. We reflect what we can of the world around us until the sun evaporates our very being. If someone sees us, truly sees us in the dawn and we are remembered though, maybe we somehow live on. I don't know or lay any special claim to the solution of such mysteries. I do know that this is both eloquent and beautiful. I greatly enjoyed!

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Fabian, for such a thoughtful and meaningful review. I really appreciate the feedback.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This was a great pleasure to read! It's as good as anything I've ever read by any poet. It's the honesty that drives it. And it hits like a hammer. Just great stuff!

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you again. That's high praise indeed coming from you.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Linda Marie... a most romantic poem that stirs the imagination.
I know the feeling as I stumble through Vineyards of mellow memories... gently, Pat

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you for visiting, Patricia, and for leaving your thoughts. I appreciate it.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I've always wished I had learned to play the piano, but after reading the caliber of poetry written here, you've made me exceedingly proud to consider myself a poet. How extraordinary your lines are in detail and description. It reminded me of someone I loved and lost, who was most dear to me...your every word mirrored the reflection of love that still burns where a void now remains. Amazing poetry!

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Kelly. It's tragic that nearly all of us know this void, this pain, this loss.

[willweb]

Such a sad and heartfelt poetic offering of love found, love loved and love lost and a message to those who find it...hold on to it for dear life. for once it is gone, everything is gone. Such beautiful sorrow that I have felt in the past and feel again now through your words.
P.S. Love that piano music, I am a pianist, it is amazing.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Will. This music seems to convey my feelings so well. I always wanted to play the piano, but we were too poor to afford lessons. I think it's amazing that you are both a poet and a pianist. The two are so sympatico.