Never Loved At All

Tennyson had it wrong

We all agree the masters know best

When it comes to writing

Read them and follow them

Is our command

And mantra

 

But I refuse to follow

One who speaks such lies

As Alfred Tennyson

A poet who I’m sure

Must have lost his mind

 

“’Tis better to have loved and lost

Than never to have loved at all,”

Is his outlandish claim

Which the world has taken

As an absolute truth

 

I balk at this blatant lie

That he has convinced us to believe

For it is nothing more

Than a disgusting wolf

In sheep’s clothing

 

Who can attest to this truth?

Who can say losing someone you love

And therefore hurting over them

Is better than not loving

And never feeling the pain?

 

Who can say losing someone

And suffering a broken heart

Is better than keeping them

Keeping feelings quiet

And keeping a heart whole?

 

I know in my case

I much rather stick with “What if?”

For wondering never hurts

But loving is a risky business

That can kill

 

Poor Tennyson is probably turning over

In his grave in Westminster Abbey

But I don’t care

For I won’t stand

To believe a blatant lie

Author's Note

Please tell me if I conveyed my idea well, or if I cut it off too soon. Thank you so much.

Reviews

[{A}shley {B}lack @-;-]

as always your talent never ceases to amaze me another great write and strong poetry as always thank you for sharing

100/100

[Julie Beth]

i loved this outstanding job :)

[Shelby]

I really liked this. So many people spout out quotes like that without even thinking how ridiculous it sounds. Although, you could make a case that Tennyson's case is different from ours... still, I agree with you.

I balk at this blatant lie
That he has convinced us to believe
For it is nothing more
Than a disgusting wolf
In sheep’s clothing



I love this stanza, the first line in particular. The word "balk", like so many other words, is so underused. And your use of the old saying is especially apt, since this whole poem is about an old saying. Overall this is a very good poem. And again, different from many others I've read. Well done.

[Saisha]

loved it..
very strong ideology put forward.

[sarah]

A stunning piece of poetry! I really love this!

[Emilee Grimm]

WOW! :clap clap clap: Such a good poem! I have heard that quote over and over and I never thought to question it! You did convey your idea very well, and I can completely understand your argument. We love someone usually without thinking about the consequences that may come with the love we give them, and when the consequences come, we sometimes cannot bear the sadness, anger, and hurt we feel deep inside ourselves. I defintely agree that loving someone and feeling the hurt after is much worse than never loving them in the first place. But sometimes we have to take a chance, no matter how foolish it may seem later, right?

[.........]

Hmm, thought provoking. Although it never occurred to me that the quote could even be refuted, I guess you're right in a lot of ways, but at the same time, did the saying get started after the broken heart, or during?

Blatant is such a good word to use. Huh. A disgusting wolf in sheep's clothing? That put a very bizarre visual in my head. Interesting. I like the flow of this poem, and the choosy words. Bravo :)

[akapr17other]

I think the ending is great. I love the main idea of the poem. I especially enjoyed the second to last stanza.