Ophelia

OPHELIA

 

 

From early afternoon, I stood upon that sacred earth

where first we'd met, so many sweet and

 hidden moons ago.

 

The warm breeze carried slightest taste

of sea foam to my lips

as my eyes searched out horizons for us

to someday share.

 

From twilight's silent stealth approach,

the air then slowly cooling

I shifted in my solitary

sandalled apprehension,

 

waiting  watching  waiting longing -

shadows came to greet me and to

whisper words of solace.

Yet still she had not come.

 

BY midnight's moon, I turned to leave

alone as when I'd first arrived.

Where could she be? This hour late,

my leaden heart sank silently

 

and hope and dreams flew off on

tattered sails.

 

How could I know - how could I know?

She waited for me, far below,

her Spring white dress in billows spreading ,

jet  black hair caressed by waves,

 

the rocky shore now stained in crimson

fading scarlet  hope and love.

 

all my future years and moments

dashed upon the shores of grief.

 

Had I but known this very night,

I would have joined her sooner, yet

the ticket to our last reunion

rests cold steel in my right hand.

 

My love, my love, I come to you

Reviews

[Zoe Richardson]

Ah yes. Poor Ophelia, floating on the waves of despair. There are so many little jewels here. I especially like, "shadows came to greet me and offer words of solace." I've met those shadows a few times myself. Do not despair, sweet Hamlet. If you put down that cold steel you will find Ophelias are a dime a dozen!

[Julian]

Love the response here- thank you. Looking at the photo above your name, I say, may your powder be ever dry and your tomahawk ever keen,

[Chris Shaw]

Desperately sad is this write.

How could I know - how could I know?
She waited for me, far below ,

Some gorgeous lines, so poetic in description. Loving your poetry Julian.

Chris

[Julian]

You are so very kind to offer such words and you are appreciated.

[Starbaby]

A most relatable and heartbreaking read. The worst thing about having the capacity to love so deeply is being forced to grieve that deeply upon love's loss.

[Julian]

Thank you so much- and you have made such a powerful and true observation- the greater our love, the deeper the pain when it is gone. In my cynical way, long after the death of my wife, I told people that I suggested marrying someone they didn't care for, so that when one or the other passed away, there would be no great suffering. And no, I did not really mean it, but sometimes when in a dark mood, I may slur out some acidic drivel. STILL - life is good!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Hamlet has nothing over you in the capacity to love.
Oceans or brooks...there is immense grief...
And the ending reminds me of an old song by Dickey Lee called "Patches"--
She drowns herself and at the end of the song, he says "It may not be right but I'll join you tonight, Patches I'm coming to you"
"Ophelia, I'm coming to you."
Such sadness and desperation in this.

[Julian]

Thank you so much for your reading and your kind words- yes, there is a hollow and numb feeling when the fear of loss suddenly materializes into an undeniable reality. I also remember Patches ( being an old guy as I am ) and there was, in my youth, a spate of seriously morbid songs about teens dying in wrecks, car races, train collisions.... not quite like the 1950s we saw in the Happy Days TV series . Then again, not many of us would have watched the series, if Fonzie died in a motorcycle wreck, Al burned up in his burger joint, Richie OD'd on drugs, and Ralph and Potsie killed each other in a switchblade fight. * although I might have enjoyed it...)

[Cheshire Cat]

This is the first poem I laid my eyes upon after registering, and I must say I was hooked.
Your work is incredible and your story is inspiring, Julian.

[Julian]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I look forward to reading more of your fine work!