The Cataleptic Era of Love

Loving once again

An obese memory

Outrageously fed by insecurities

Often travels from the dicey depths of a deserted ocean,

Reaching a heartsick lover---locked in the embrace 

Of a sweetheart drowsily mumbling something 

Of spring; of new love. 

The very moment that memory age-old 

Of love lost transforming itself 

Into the horrors only fancy could envisage.     

He ventured to outrun 

The predator, like an antelope does--- 

A predator as fit as a fiddle. 

Love often comes to blows

With reason---and a memory macabre 

To find its place. 

His heart grew cold,

As cold as a well-digger's nose,  

The avalanche of silence rampaged through it.

He felt foreign hands heaving and hauling him 

Toward the dismal dwelling 

Of the wretched souls,

All amidst the vile voices of choristers 

And the dramatic-divine orchestra.

Then silently, 

Around midnight---happened a miracle,

A miracle that is centuries-old.

With a warm kiss on the lips

The night's epilogue was writ.

She brought her fervid companion

Back from the ocean; back from the thicket;

Back to human form.

Everything good; everything godawful 

Had degenerated inside them,

Save from the part---that remained untarnished,

The part that loves.

Reviews

[.]

Love as a kiss of life....something i have experienced and am experiencing still. Even in the depths of catatonia the lips of a freshly minted love can revive us and breath new life into our being.

This is a nicely paced and steadily written poem, gently flowing from the void of despair to a romantic and happier conclusion. Some great vocabulary and images used throughout, too. Truth or fiction, the cataleptic era of love has certainly begun.

Another uniquely fine write.

[Suhd]

Thanks very much, Doodley for constantly pouring in your thoughts and valuable feedback. It encourages me to become a better writer every time.

[Coyote Poetry]

I did like how you used the language my friend.
Back from the ocean; back from the thicket;
Back to human form.
Everything good; everything godawful"
I love the above lines. Thank you for sharing the powerful words and emotions.
Coyote

[barleygirl]

WOW! This is a great poem. I was taken in by the word "cataleptic" which started me out thinking this would be a farce against the idea of "falling in love". It goes even further than that, tho. The extreme descriptions of how love makes us a little crazy reminds me of how I feel whenever I've tried to consider giving myself over to love (something I've not done in 64 years). It seems like a scary place to go & that's why I've never gone there. Your poem depicts this with a fun halloween-styled bit of spooky. But toward the end, there's a twist I didn't expect, where it seems that love itself is what rescues this poor punk from his catatonic throes of crushing in love . . . it's as if the lead-up to love is the crazy part, then the actual love begins & starts to make things a little more sane again. I don't actually believe this (that love magically solves ANYTHING), but I love the winding journey your love message takes. I love how your approach is a million miles from anything seen in love poems & yet you address those familiar everyday love experiences we all know & hate/love (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Great Aunt Astri]

Love cures all. I got quite worried, until 'she' arrived! Some lovely alliteration,...dicey depths of a deserted ocean, ... memory macabre, ...hands heaving and hauling him, ...dismal dwelling, and some clever word pictures. I enjoyed reading this poem.

[Suhd]

Thank you so much. I'm happy that you enjoyed reading this.

[Elizabeth]

Wow...I really loved this poem...Kinda reminded me of a character in one of my favorite show...I loved the happy ending and your choice of words were really unique and amazing! Thank you for this great read!

[Suhd]

Thanks a lot. Glad you loved it :)

[Elizabeth]

You're welcome :)

[Chris Shaw]

Wow, some of your poetic expression here is great. I love obese memory. That is so original and conjures up much thought. I also like a poem with a happy ending, and this had one. All good wishes.

Chris

[Suhd]

Thanks much Chris. Glad you like it.