Odessa Lost

Where are you my
wounded urchin?
The winter's frostbite
has dulled my fingertips
and I find no solace
in my tea.

I look but you are
nowhere;
still the sting of your echo is
everywhere.

The gold of the wheat fields,
tamed by the memory of
your hair, has lost its luster.

The rhythm of the tram
lulls me to times
where the sound
of bells was sweet and
our laughter was deep.

Oh how I long to distill
that essence in a jar
so that I might
open it at midnight,
and breathe in the elixir
of such errant delight.

Each night I search for
you kisa, in the
pages of Vechernyaya Odessa,
hunting for you between the lines.

I weep in earnest for your return.

Reviews

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

What a beautiful piece of poetry that I just happened to stumble upon! What a treat are your words. You have a mournful and yet tenderly sublime style that I fall right into; reminds me a little of my own style on ocassion (though i am far more wordy, I'm afraid). You seem a poet unfraid to bend the rules, and that is what enthrals me the most. Well done.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and kind review. I look forward to reading your work.

[.]

-- gorgeous poetry... -- the "essence in a jar" stanza is especially beautiful... and i love the expression "the sting of your echo" a lot too... -- it's a treat to read you... -- i dropped in for an english lesson and i am more than happy... thank you... :)

[icelandicblue]

Thank you serah. That happens to be my favorite stanza as well.

[.]

-- you're very welcome...

[NeiL ArandA]

Yeah another free verse style... I'm really intrigue. Women seems to write in such natural way....
"Oh how I long to distill
that essence in a jar
so that I might
open it at midnight,
and breathe in the elixir
of such errant delight."

Ladies how in a world do you do this ? Its like Keanu Reeves in motion ...Truly impressive

[icelandicblue]

Wow, thank you very much. I happen to love that stanza (if I might be so bold) as well. It is one of my personal favorites. Thanks so much for noticing.

[Pryde Foltz]

Each night I search for
you kisa, in the
pages of Vechernyaya Odessa,
hunting for you between the lines.

I weep in earnest for your return.

Isn't odd the way a figure in a book or the image of a person can inspire so much love. At least, when they exist in the page of a book, you know where to find them. So may beautiful turns of phrase in this one. Great, great write.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks for reading this oldie...I just wanted you to see it. It's one of my favorites, don't know why. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.

[Pryde Foltz]

Yes … I always think it is a pity that really only our most recent writes get the attention. But then time is the master.

[icelandicblue]

This was written during my "Russian" phase of poetry.

[Pryde Foltz]

Good phase to have.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

The lost is found in the pages of plaintive mourning further sought inbetween the lines of print. One's loss is tangible when tangled between words that speak of such happy times that have been overshadowed by that person's absence. The knight in shining armor (kisa) is no more, and you are left with the memory of his shine.

This is beautiful!

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for reading this. This one is special to me and I wanted you to know I truly understood what you were saying. Thanks again.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

You're so welcome. :-)

[Terohime]

Wonderful work, keep penning.

~Res

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Res- love your picture!

[redflutterby]

Theres a delicate sadness to this and an air of mystery. We are left wondering who or what Odessa is and why you long for it so. Very beautiful!!

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment.

[Avocations of Amber]

I rarely read poetry that impresses me or touches my soul. Now-a-days, people feel inclined to write about anything; people SAY anything and call it a work of art. This, however, was absolutely lovely......genuine writing that, in my opinion, deserves recognition. You have been blessed with talent! :)

[icelandicblue]

I am humbled by your review. Thank you so very much. I am pleased this poem touched you in some way.

[Matthew Kult]

Hello Blue,

Sullenly elegant like sitting in your favorite chair while daydreaming of the past while listening to really good jazz.

Always,

Matthew
A.

[icelandicblue]

Matthew-

What a fabulous scene you paint. Thanks for much for your lovely comment. It's good to see you.

[Matthew Kult]

It's always a pleasure to stop by, keep up the good work!

[ChemicalMadness]

This one is exceptionally well done. The longing falls from the page. I look but you are nowhere. Simple and powerful with format backing feeling. Quite a lovely read....if I had any "criticism" at all, my personal preference would have been to end on "hunting for you between the lines". To me, it stands on its own and does not need the final line, as you've already so deftly communicated your emotion. That's just me though ;)

CM.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks CM- I am going to think on that but it's good advice. I'll have to read it with and without to make up my mind.