Still life ~ still love?

When its dead, its dead.

 

 

Still life ~ still love?

 

A painting of a flower

in a glistening cut glass vase

Captured of a time before

when the light was perfect,

the fragrance sweet and the petals

soft as vanilla pudding

 

still life ~

 

Our love was that of dreams,

picture perfect

Captured in a photograph,

placed in a heart shaped

ornate silver frame

displayed proudly on the mantle

 

still love ~

 

days later petals lie

scattered on the floor

in random patterns

wilted and curled, pale and drab,

a brown stem in stagnant water,

the vase stained and glistening no more

 

no life ~

 

months later, shards of glass lie

scattered on the floor

an empty broken frame rests

face down in the ashes

of the photo, torn to shreds

and burned

 

no love ~ 

 

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading

Reviews

[Rita L. Sev]

A relationship has a life of its own, so perfect in youth - and so frail. Superb images capture this metaphor and grab the reader's heart. This is a great poem, Jack.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much my friend. I an thrilled you liked this.

[NeiL ArandA]

This is very deep Jack . I really have to think here . Did the withered flower represent a failed relationship ? Marvelously portrayed Jack . You are always inspired . Thanks for sharing this awesome piece .

[Jack...]

Thanks so very much Neil

[Baby Ricochet]

Man that was sad and I related to it. Most of us can. Great poem Jack

[Jack...]

Thanks so much my friend.

[icelandicblue]

Oh from the pinnacle to the demise your imagery aches with beauty and loss.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Anne. I actually saw a vase with dead flowers in it and chuckled thinking...still life? That is what prompted me to write this. I appreciate your visit today my friend.

[SteveB]

Ouch!
I realy enjoyed the balance here and you brought each of the sections to life quite well. Vivid strong imagery. Reading it a second time I like the subtle hint at where it will go in the begining of "still love" - that of dreams, not reality and "picture perfect" not "perfect". A very nice subtle touch.

[Jack...]

Thanks so very much my friend.

[Diana]

Life and love are one... When one is shattered or burned the other...not so much.

[Jack...]

Thank you so much Diana for visiting today.

[Opeyemi Jide-Ojo]

Wow!! dark side to love's cycles...

[Jack...]

Thank you so very much

[Dr. Wood ?]

I tend to think that the vanilla pudding analogy relates to you sir...occasionally....Great poem as per usual

[Jack...]

Thanks so much my friend.

[TL Boehm]

uff da! a resounding analogy of love. soft as vanilla pudding. That was great.

[Jack...]

Thanks so very much Tammy. Yep, that soft. :)

[iliOZ]

dark and highly detailed imagery, no surprises here.
thank you, i enjoyed them.

however, let me mention that we keep going back to mars to find life, because we found life here on earth in dark-ever-caves and even in hot geysers.
perhaps our perception of love should be extended too. you never know where love could be found.

my review would incomplete if i wouldn't recommend the song "where does love go when it dies" from my favorite group, def leppard
besides the beautiful music and singing, check out its lyrics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IRtJ0_Fv5M

[Jack...]

Thanks so much my friend and I am familiar with that song. Been a Def fan for quite some time.