~Scorch'd

i clutch your love letters to my breast

weathered with fateful, salty tears

i watch the fire  crackle and flicker

it has more life force than me

i ruminate and  wonder

if i threw them in would you burn

could those memories of a life

once cherished, disappear

i catch my reflection

when did my youth slip away

so many promises,

too much heartache

my story began and ended with you

i hate sorrowful parting good byes

yet i know this is my only chance

as if by some magical spell, 

     the parchment leapt 

          through time & space

               enveloped by flames,

as the onion skin unfolded

i felt my skin burning

...and finally scorch my eyes

all that's left are begotten ashes   

Reviews

[annie lee]

A poignant scene, indeed. We may destroy the curling, fluttering ribbons that tie us to a past life, but that doesn't remove the memories. The third stanza is of course, the crux of the matter. Will burning the letters burn away the lover? No, and grief is a difficult trip, making one's way through the mire of doubt, regret and shards of sharp words is a hard road, but once through it, the ashes, as you say, are all that remains. Very intense and starkly visual.

[Frieda P]

Always love your reviews, thanks so much 2minichinz.

[SteveB]

Very well done - vivid writing, excellent scene setting and a universal appeal. Can the fire purge the memory or do we inhale the smoke and bring the memories deeper within us? Thank you so much for this one.

[Frieda P]

Thank you so much for this lovely review Steve.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

I truly enjoyed this, Frieda. I once wrote a poem about burning letters (because I actually did it), and the feelings that this idea conjours. You feel the need to throw the past into the flames, but there is a saddness associated, and when the deed is done, you almost wish you hadn't done it. Beautiful and sublime write.

[Frieda P]

Exactly Friday, you can't really burn those memories, they always come back to haunt you, thanks so much.

[NA]

This brought back memories for me...touching read...enjoyed :)

[Frieda P]

Thanks Raven, much appreciated. :-)

[s y e]

This is such an emotional write, Frifri ~ It's heart breaking and touching. We keep things that remind us of past relationships but its only before time that we let them go. Forget about the past and move forward. It makes you think; Is there any point? Is it just wasting time?

" enveloped by flames,
as the onion skin unfolded
i felt my skin burning"

This was a really powerful stanza, really well written. It is really touching Frifri.

~ noodle.

[Frieda P]

Grazie noodlebumble, glad you enjoyed this one x

[David Scott]

I like how this fire burns both the letter and the reader...
You have given the reader of this write far more than ashes to carry away.
What a fine gift of poetry you offer us today Frieda.
Thank you for the wonderful poem.

[Frieda P]

Thank for your glowing review my dear friend.

[Sami Khalil]

I felt the deep emotions in this wonderful write and it took me through time and space of that scorching love you had to each other and how it is ashes and amber now. See out of fire comes some good meals or realizations...Well done as always...:)

[Frieda P]

Thanks Sami, always happy to hear your thoughts. :-)

[Sami Khalil]

My pleasure...You are welcome...:)

[Frieda P]

Ah so creative Frie, here.
Sometimes, all is still so fresh in the memory,
When the pen writes, it comes out still...
But if you hate goodbye's so badly,
never say an "addio then" :) like me...
for it's never never, when we love... until all is real forgotten...
I felt the process of burning letters/papers, hurt, and love.
But if it's not out of the heart, all above I said isn't relevant anymore.

You made me think too, on this one, for I speak my thoughts,
I think that's so good of you always!

Baci, Eli x

[Frieda P]

Grazie mille Eli, seems it lingers in the heart, even after the burn is gone...Baci x

[Mark]

begotten ashes make great fertilizer.

[Frieda P]

Laughing ;-P

[John Alexander McFadyen]

As Jack rightly says, heart breaking. I do disagree with him on not keeping hopeful and not recognising the errors made on both sides!

[Frieda P]

Pssh of course you two would agree, the two romantics on the wc...