Twenty-Nine Little Cups of Coffee

Beware what lurks in the shadows of love

Love is not

A kind friend bending

Lazy in the breeze

It is not a flower

Or gentle tidings

 

Love is salt

And wheat and

New cut grass

A good look in the mirror

When you

Don’t like what you see

 

Love spanks the

Air you breathe

And what fills your lungs

Is neither health

Nor rain

 

Do not be fooled

Love is a jealous mistress

Waiting impatiently

At the gates

For you to make

A mistake

 

Look but never

Seek because those

Words do not soothe

And unless prudent

You will inhale

A black wanting

Withering and helpless

On the vine

 

-Zoe Richardson

Author's Note

Happy Valentine's Day

Reviews

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Amazing lines !

Love is salt
And wheat and
New cut grass
A good look in the mirror
When you
Don’t like what you see

Beautiful love it

[Zoe Richardson]

Apologies for the tardy response. I haven't had time to write anything but work stuff. I am so glad you liked this poem. Giving up on romantic love has given me great freedom and I enjoy it so much more!

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Sorry for late reply
It’s hard to keep up to date on replies etc
Hope you well

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Love is hard work, responsibility, personal accountability and sacrifice. But show me even ONE person who wants to "fall" into that and I'll show you an idiot. (laughing) Still, the real thing is worth every effort put into it and more and love carries its own reward. Here's hoping Cupid's arrow finds your heart and not your backside. Because nobody loves a pain in the butt. Happy Valentines Day.

[Zoe Richardson]

I don't believe in soul mater, romance, happy ever afters or any of the standard Valentine's Day tropes. I gave it up years ago and I love the freedom I have now. I still believe in non-romantic love, the love we should have for our fellow man. But I don't believe anyone is looking for hard work, sacrifice, and putting my well-being above their own. Or maybe I'm just hard to live with. Lol. Either way, I am happier being unattached. I am glad you found what you were looking for, and sorry for the delayed reponse!

[willweb]

Hmmm...I am thinking Hallmark won't be coming for these stanzas for their Valentine's cards anytime soon. This is definitely dark but it does carry some truth in it. To me it is all in how you define love and it also has a lot to do with the people involved. Some use love as a tool, like a pry bar and some see love as a beautiful flower blooming. How long it blooms depends and how hard you have to pry depends. Either way...some find love and some find love...it is the love they find that is not the same. If that makes any sense at all.
Happy Valentines Day Zoe.

[Zoe Richardson]

There are many different kinds of love. Love of family. The brotherly love of friends and companions. And the selfless love we should have for one another, love that is sacrifical and selfless. Those are the forms of love I believe in and try to offer. Romantic love is not as sweet as freedom. I've only ever found it a cudgel to pummel me into submission. Anybody who thinks they can pry me open better watch out. They may have a crowbar, but I have a shotgun for a mouth. Lol