Vow

Like a sea-quake that moves

The dark depths invisible and

Sends wave after violent wave

To the shores of awareness

As a testament to its own

Power and magnitude

 

Like a flash-flood, born of a

Distant, unforeseen cloudburst,

Tumbling down a valley blind

Scraping it clean of leaf, of life, of all

Tearing at the roots, leaving but

The bare, rocky skeleton of the land

 

Like a raging wildfire

Ignited by an innocent

Careless spark that burns

And consumes all in its path

Making swift work of sluggish

Centuries, of death and of decay

 

Like a childhood disease

That frightens and terrifies

When it takes up residence

In our blood, in our every cell

Taking our strength, taking us

To bed, leaving us with scars

 

Like that, Love came into my life

Wearing your face, your name

Clothed in your body, your scent

Moving, tearing, burning, scarring me

For its amusement and pleasure

Leaving me for dead when She had her fill

          

And just like that, She took you away from me

Your delicate form, your enchanting frame

To dazzle and awe you with the beauty of

Foreign lands, of cold marble, to lull you

To sleep with colorful stories of a bygone age

But, here You are and here I am - again

 

Like a reckless thief that returns

To the scene of the crime

Love came back, hiding behind your eyes

She was the criminal, we were her crime

But the tables have turned, we’ve got her now

And I’m not letting go - this I vow

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

Interesting characterization of love in this one. It sounds like a force of nature, consuming, weakening and scarring all it infects. It appears the speaker fell violently in love with another, only to see that love disintegrate when the lover was drawn away to other lands. Seemingly, though, there has been a return and that wild love is now under control. And to think, St. Paul said love is kind.

[Jennifer Patino]

This piece ebbs & flows like the ups & downs of a relationship. Reading it aloud was a joy, it flows so well. I like the image of love being a force unseen, remaining hidden & disguised. Lovely poem.