Letting Go

"Sometimes love means letting go."

i see your star still shining in the distance
but the light is growing dim.
i can feel the tug of your resistance
and wonder where you've been...

the warmth of your smile, your sweet embrace
 are only memories to me now
and love like a wave once hugging the shore
 has drifted away somehow.....

but i must be patient, dear heart be still
and love will find a way
to let you go and love from a distance
if you do not wish to stay.
 
.

Author's Note

Another old saying, "Love is like a butterfly sometimes if you let go it will return."

Reviews

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

This could be made into a song just loved it

[Dara]

Thank you! I have written one song in my life. Definitely food for thought...... :-)

[barleygirl]

As a fiercely independent person all my life, I have struggled with the way people bring expectations into most "love" situations. I wish I'd had the self-understanding to just explain that I will never settle down into one relationship. Your poem shows this from the other side, how hard it is to allow a person to be what they need to be in this life. Growing older, people want to put me in a box where I won't hurt myself, which is another way people use "love" as a prison. Your poem is shows how it must feel, in a gentle & probing way, to be on the other side of my own independent life experience. Thanks for a great share (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Dara]

Oh I envy your independence. I used to hate being alone but as I have grown older I have come to enjoy the solitude at times. Discovering the joy of reading and writing poetry definitely helps but for years I was surrounded by a large family and then husband and children. Now, my time seems all the more precious and I guard it religiously. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and a bit of yourself with your insight into this poem. Life is short and should be spent the way we wish to spend it. Enjoying one's own company is a blessing and to be celebrated. Take care Margie!

[Richard🖌]

Dear Dara,
I believe I understand the nuances and timbre of your feelings and beautiful emotions dancing here, amongst your words and lines, up off the page into my empathetic heart and soul.
Wistfully ethereal, almost spiritual in essence, there are not that many poems I can actually "feel", but this is one that makes me.
I think there must be nothing sadder than the light of love steadily growing dimmer day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month, until it's barely a flicker … yet, how true that love returns when let go … albeit, often from a new, unexpected source. It is the miracle of love that the call of it's heartbeat never dies.
The tender metaphors of your words breathe with a life all their own, a vibrance that tugs at your reader's heartstrings, as does the solemn privacy (or, loneliness) of your picture.
Even the space beneath your final line serves as a moment to reflect before gathering and sharing one's thoughts and feelings in review.

Love the beat, rhythm, and flow of your verses, their wonderment so very gentle and pure.
Bless you your bountifully sweet nature … hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Dara]

I am in awe of your insight into the feelings and emotions behind this poem. I wrote it more out of need to let go the hurt and turn it into a gesture of constant love and forgiveness for my own sake. There is no greater love than the love we give without expecting something in return. Thank you for adding to the meaning behind my words. I do so appreciate what you have shared with me!

[Richard🖌]

The touch of your words were my inspiration, and sharing it with you is my pleasure..

[Davidgeo]

This made me think of starlight. How what we see is not what is currently there anymore, but still so beautiful in it's "memory". Kind of a sad write but also a lovely one. Well done.

[Dara]

Thank you for this touching review. Your comparison to starlight is very insightful and beautiful. Nice to ‘see’ you again. :-)

[Pete]

a harsh reality. not easy to do. sometimes the best things in life occur unexpectedly. which is why we must relish what he have and cherish what we had in memories. deeply touching and sobering ... :)

"Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder." - Thoreau

[Dara]

I often think of the quote about the butterfly and happiness. It is so relevant and true to form, as most of Thoreau's writing is. Fits perfectly with my thoughts in this poem as well. Thank you so much for visiting my page and your wonderful words of wisdom.

[BlackPrince]

This is a short, wonderful and powerful poem packed with meaning. The rhyme scheme is effective with natural rhythm and flow. It is very relative in so many aspects of human relationships. Thus, understandably, though it seems like a paradox, letting go is, indeed, also an act of love.

Dear Dara, I would appreciate it if you would go to my profile where I have a poem also called LETTING GO. Please, review for me. Tell me what you think in full honesty. Thanks

[Dara]

Love is a powerful emotion and also paradoxical. Give and take, pleasure and pain, feelings running hot and cold all of which can be found in even the most loving of relationships at times. I am so happy you enjoyed reading and taking the time to review. Many thanks and great to see you here. I will definitely love to read your poem as well!

[Coyote Poetry]

Easy to say, hard to do. I escaped country to escape love need and regret. I believe few butterflies return. Love need two people wanting the same things at the same time. Hard to do, sometimes. Thank you Dara for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Dara]

You are so right, often easier said than done. Your comment, "I believe few butterflies return" is so very touching and poignant. I can see them added to a poem in and of itself. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i thought of a couple people with this poem...we are still close....but sometimes being together just isn't what is meant to be.
j.

[Dara]

Yes, and it is so hard to make that final decision but in the end better to lead with the head than the heart. Thank you Jacob!

[R.E. Ray]

As I read your poem, I thought about the stars and how they shine bright, though seem dim when love fades. The distance never changes, except the distance between the two loves that share the same light. Beautiful poem.

[Dara]

You have summed it up so beautifully and I love your wording, "the distance between two loves that share the same light." Love can fade away but often never leaves completely. Great to see you here!