Love's abiding quandary..

from a quote by Aphra Behn " One hour of right-down love is worth an age of dully living on" " ......'tis where my muse took me..

Love's abiding quandary..

Shall I, shan't I? The question so occupies my mind,
I've tasted love sweet like nector from the gods
that no earthly drug could scarce compare,
I was inspired by its allure, surfed foamy crest
of seventh wave, touched twinkling stars,
my zest unbridled, her kiss the fuel of my desire

But that was then and this is now, prisoner of my undoing
let not a priceless gift take second place
to one's own hubris pride, even the deepest well
if overused, is destined to one day run dry,
as now I sit in contemplation has life passed me by?

And yet not bereft of hope, a chink of light pierces my gloom
another so radiant, so ravishing, walks by
and I'm drawn like moth to light, rejection yes
a bitter pill, yet to wallow in dreams of yesterday
serves further to addle present indifference...

So I must grasp the nettle and should it sting, well at least
consoled, resigned I gave it my best try...
For life without love, surefire recipe to curl up, close eyes, and die!

© 1 hour ago   love   

Author's Note

Hit me with your best shot

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

I can’t contemplate what it must be to go through life, never having loved. A poet once told me he had never been in love. Wow I thought, poor you. I am always reminded of that old saying:

It is better to have loved and lost than never loved at all. I reckon if there is a chink of light it is worth taking a risk.

Very much enjoyed my visit here Tom. A delight to read you.

[Tom]

Yeppers, spot on Chris, thanks muchly my friend!!

[Chris Shaw]

You are welcome Tom. All the best.

[Ken Simm.]

Yes I can really empathise with this. And that is my best shot because I'm jelious. This is good.
I have been to this place but I must say I can't talk about it as well.

[Tom]

Thank you Ken, your review is in keeping with the sentiment of my poem!

[Thomas W Case]

Powerful work. Excellent.

[Tom]

Thank you Thomas!

[Neville]

now that's what we tend to call a predicament around these here parts Tom .. I'm pretty sure there are others in the same boat tho' so just make sure you get in first so's you can choose, or at least pick n mix squire .. 🐧👍

[Tom]

Yup, wise advice, thx Neville!!!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Love defies us to understand it, to live without it, yet the temptation to freefall into it is always there. No one wishes to be alone. A dog or a cat can offer companionship, but love is a commodity the heart and soul needs to survive. I truly believe it is our salvation in this ever changing world.

[Tom]

You're soo right Kelly, thanks muchly dear poet friend!!

[Marie]

Dear Tom, you poem reminds me of the song "I Won't Stay In A World Without Love" sung by Peter and Gordon. I'm sure you remember it? A world without love is not a nice place to be or to live in, but I feel that the first person we must learn to love is ourselves, before we can know how to love another. I love how you express in the first Stanza the love you have known and how very poetically you describe it. In Stanza 2, I love how you compare giving love and receiving none in return to a well which when overused becomes empty. When one gives 110% of themselves to another and receives nothing back in return, the well of love dries up. Stanza 3 brings hope of finding love again, but then the chance also of rejection, but also a realisation that living in the past is not a good place to live either. Stanza 4, shows determination to at least try to win a fair, loving, true and beautiful heart and that makes me so happy! Never give up, Tom. Just as you are walking the road of life in hope of finding someone so special to love until the end of time, some beautiful woman is out there too, walking the road of life and praying to find someone like you. Fantabulous write, dear Tom! Love how you express your feelings through both word and depiction. Wonderful work, Tom! Thank you for sharing... Well done!!!

[Tom]

As always dear Marie I'm both honoured and humbled by your most insightful review of my latest poem, you have taken your time to analize and carefully express in your review how this write comes across to you, and of course you are spot on.... Thanks again my poetic friend from Co Kerry!!!

[Marie]

Most welcome always, dear Tom. Wishing you a very Happy Friday! Have a wonderful day and an equally lovely weekend too. Looking forward to reading your next poem, dear Tom. Greetings from Co. Kerry too...

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Tom... I can tell you without a doubt... there must be a Guiding Light. Feeling Humble is a place I am aware of God's Grace. Your poetry is a Book on my Shelf. softly, Pat

[Tom]

Such kindly, compassionate words dear Patricia, thank you indeed!!

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Tom
if you let the first love bite the the dust, don’t fret about it, life is too short, and everyone needs love, so don’t be foolish and let the next one slip by….go for it…. pleasure is the best medicine in the world… and so is love!
warmly, B

[Tom]

So true indeed, thank you Betty!!

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome
Warmly, B

[Lorry]

Well, as someone who tossed the coin and it came up "shant" I can tell you for a fact that your line was right on the tracks with "curl up, close eyes" but I didn't die!
Instead, I felt happiness and comfort at dropping the pretence of that particular game, and a game it indeed is. Now if I'm out for a meal I no longer worry about making a good impression and think more along the lines of "I hope this is worth getting dressed up for" and "I hope she isn't one of those fussy ones who like to make a show of sending the food back and is oblivious to what the kitchen staff do with her food when she does!"
Love is indeed a quandary and I fully expect to be pondering it as my last breath is taken, but no more so than wishing I'd ordered the caramel chocolate dessert than the cheesecake!
😃

[Tom]

A most knowledgeable review of similiar mindsets, thank you Lorry!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I sit in this same comtemplation...But have loved many times and gained from those loves, even though I now sit by myself...I have those memories good and bad...but ones I "shan't" let go of ever.
Nicely done, Tom,
j.

[Tom]

Thank you Jacob, so pleased to know we sing from the same hymn sheet ref this one!