The Intruder

How is it that the universe expands
and I cannot diminish thoughts of you?
Your memory should be cold now
instead it scorches and burns

melting the edges of my existence
until sleep eludes my grasp
and I chew on my lip, surprised
that blood tastes more of salt than copper.

Pain travels from twilight into blinding brightness.
There is no impenetrable shell, no leaden wall,
only the will to cauterize its oppressive nature
and banish it into the shadowed recesses of being.

Reviews

[Pryde Foltz]

Pain travels from twilight into blinding brightness.
There is no impenetrable shell, no leaden wall,
only the will to cauterize its oppressive nature
and banish it into the shadowed recesses of being.

I am somewhat speechless here. The poem is extraordinary and for me very relatable. I have one of these:)

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Pryde. There are some things that stay with you like ghosts.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i had felt this for years...but now, the memory is cold, only problem is that a part of me is cold now too...there is a certain protective wall that will always be there...

great poem...relatable...

[icelandicblue]

I am truly sorry for your loss. Sometimes we protect ourselves from such things but there seems to be a price to pay. Thank you so much for your thoughts.

[Sheila Kline]

There are those who leave this kind of hand print on our soul, on the very essence of our being! We might think we have memory of them under control where we want it, managed so to say, and then some little thing comes along and it comes tumbling back on us all over again - in hours of sleep that cause us not to sleep - no matter how hard we try to forget, we just can't!
Each verse is powerful, but the last is absolutely gripping!!

[icelandicblue]

Oh Sheila it is so good to see you. Yes, there are those who enter our lives but never seem to quite leave. Thank you so much for your comments.

[therisa]

This poem reminds me, of the power that PTSD flashbacks have, over a person. Where sleep becomes, a weapon to be used, against you, as you struggle to live, a normal life. Knowing, they can return, once more, to haunt you. I wish, I could remove your experience of this, so life can flow, like a mighty river, across the land, bringing life and hope.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for your beautiful sentiments therisa.

[therisa]

Your welcome, Icelandicblue.

[MsJewel]

I can relate so well - as there are those memories that intrude upon sleep, not allowing the serenity of dreams or of sleep..
Your word choice is outstanding, the images you create so very vivid.
I am in awe of your talent!

:) Julie

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so very much Julie.

[Stonz P.]

Hands down, THE BEST metaphysical poetry I have read on this site!!

"melting the edges of my existence
until sleep eludes my grasp" :

The personification of the human existence as the Universe or vice-versa if I stretch my imagination to the farthest corners.. your poem has a subtlety that has spoken to me once again.. The imagery is so exquisite; painted quite a picture..
And your choice of words I have loved so far in the three poems I have read.
"only the will to cauterize its oppressive nature
and banish it into the shadowed recesses of being."

I feel I am being too eccentric but Ma'am, I am just so astounded by this piece of yours that my compliments may not be able to express my marvelling astonishment. Please do criticise my works; I'd be honoured to have your feedback.

[icelandicblue]

I'm not sure I deserve such praise but I do truly appreciate it. Thank you so much your words mean a lot.

[willweb]

This was painful, the desperate desire to forget is overwhelming. These memories keep pace as you try to run away. I really enjoyed this one Icelandicblue

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much willweb. I appreciate you taking the time to read my words.