Thursday, October 1, 2009

Walking In Love

Often, when my mind has nothing better to do, it will return to the subject of love.
I say such things in jest, or passing, but it's been something I've wrestled with for years. It should be though. I'm one of those ridiculous people who think that to love is the purpose of life. That's not particularly romantic love, of course.

Romantic love is a hard one to start on. I'd really rather take an almost chauvenistic approach, and point out that Eve was created with the specific purpose of keeping Adam company. As a woman, I may try to find my own way in life, be in trying to change the world, or just trying to keep my head above the masses. I can try. But theres that nagging feeling that at any point I may decide what I really should do in life is devote myself wholly and entirely to one person, and be completely satisfied with it. And I don't know that that's wrong, either.

Since I am one of those friends most people would rather not have, and discuss abstract things like love, or forgiveness, or freedom with mine often, I've had a few other opinions. What it comes down to, is that my opinions of love, my expectations, I suppose, are unrealistic. They are sky high. Worse than that, they left the atmosphere light-years ago. I don't expect to recieve a perfect love, not from a fellow human, at any rate, but I cannot be contented with myself without giving it. It creates frustration, I'm constantly falling short. I'm disappointed.
I have to keep trying.

I have to keep grasping a rushing stream, instead of just getting my hand wet. It's impossible, I know. That can't stop me. It can't, and it shouldn't.

Because I am a wordy girl, who talks abstractly most of the time, a good deal of my poetry (which yes, as a wordy abstract girl, I do write) can be passed up without a thought. This is one of my better ones, I think, but it's still silly and demonstrates my [lack of] age. Forgive me? I'm still just learning to walk.

"Ants Across a Michealangleo"

I've thought that every candels moth
Was, perchance, better for his place.
Though ecstasy was short for death
He was inflamed consumed in grace.

Now candles all but styled out
At least, or aren't outside at all.
That is why the outer lights
Are rapt with moth to crash and crawl.

And I have heard the passionate
Who sing that love is like a fire,
If that is the truth of it
Perhaps our tale is moth-inspired.

For many soar to capture love
And only find a bulb to catch.
I'd like to think I'd leave the porch
Pursue a lighter, or a match.

Yet each these fires last but a time
Until they're blown, or dwindle out.
Should virtue likewise follow suit?
A tool for time to fool about?

No. Let me be unsatisfied.
If I'm a moth, a moth am I.
I will not linger through each loss
But chase the fires in the sky.

Though physics binds me ever far
What is love, but chasing stars?


[on a side note, the title of the poem was stolen from a poem of my sister's, so, while it is brilliant, I can take no credit. As Eliot said though, immature poets imitate, mature poets steal. Which would be relevant, if I were a mature poet.]

2 comments:

  1. I thought it reminded me of one of my poems at first... but then I checked the archives and realized I misremembered the poem. So you're original. At least mostly.

    You had some lines that make me smile...
    "Now candles all but styled out"
    "A fool for time to fool about?"
    "No. Let me be unsatisfied."

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  2. I was wondering about the title...and now I know. Frankly I'm not sure it quite fits.

    Otherwise I love the poem. I was creeping on our old Xangas (remember those...oh boy) and I saw and remembered your amazing poetry. You're so talented! And of course, you've come lightyears (yes, yes, lightyears) since then, both in articulation and in thoughts to be articulated.

    Random aside, the cutest photo of you and your boy came up on facebook. Funny that he (or more or less he) should be the subject of this post.

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