A Word Before Going Home

God once told me that I have a capacity for bliss
that earthly pleasures will never satisfy,
a potential for greatness much too large
for a measly planet to appease,
and he was right.

Bliss never did envelope me
no matter how profound it felt,
I was always a half-full cup
while the other half stirred with
emptiness,
unmatched by any taste of bliss or achievement
I might acquire while wandering
the Earth
while angels sung ballads in my dreams
begging me to come back home.

‘Twas not ‘til I met another angel wandering the Earth
that I felt enraptured by the sweet caress
of true happiness,
she dazzled beautifully and bore a smile
that heaven could not rival
and kissed me with a love that God could never have;
only then did I discover
that he was wrong
to say that Earth could never satisfy.

It was then that God took her from me,
right from my arms while I tasted her parted lips
as death nuzzled her ever so slowly,
until I could not believe
that this kiss was a blue-lipped,
lifeless
kiss.

The angels’ ballads soon became nightmares
that haunted me every time I slept,
crooning songs that begged me to come back home,
so I did.

Author's Note

Photo courtesy of Emerald-Depths of Deviant Art.

Reviews

[Riley Bray]

First of all, I'd like to acknowledge that this is a long overdue review, sorry about that haha. Here goes;

My favorite lines:

"only then did I discover
that he was wrong
to say that Earth could never satisfy."

"as death nuzzled her ever so slowly,
until I could not believe
that this kiss was a blue-lipped,
lifeless
kiss."

"crooning songs that begged me to come back home,
so I did."

As per usual you delivered on this front, Tai. I enjoyed this poem. ^-^ It was interesting to see that somewhat religious spin you put on this one, which counters what you usually write with. Still lovely, keep it up!

[Tai Ryens]

I do seldom integrate direct religious references into my pieces, you're right at that, aha. Thank you, Riley!

[paul sal.....]

GOD, if there is a GOD, would applaud the trying, for all any of us can do is live, and if living is God-like, so be it. Choices are often between good and evil, it is not so hard to figure out what would make God smile..............decisions........ decisions.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Tai Ryens]

Interesting. THank you, Paul, always enjoy your kind words.

[VelvetRosetta]

Hmmm, my perception is that of, we don't go against God or question him, he is and he does and he asks for obediance. We may choose to stray and this is a battle some win, some loose. It all comes down to free will.

Wow, I have to say you constructed this piece elegantly. I love the sad yet enveloping quality that it has. O love and loose is better to have never loved at all...or some have said. I am not sure if I agree totally but what I can agree is, as someone in an ealrier comment said...Bittersweet.
Love it!

[Tai Ryens]

Thank you, bittersweet is such an appealing to me, aha.

[Tai Ryens]

an appealing word to be called*

[VelvetRosetta]

I have to say I agree.

[Bluefire]

Amazing story behind this piece. Dark and bittersweet.
I love the imagery and how the story plays out.
I do believe God will take what you love away, if you choose to love it more than him.
I've seen it at work.
"Thou shall have no other gods before me."
I believe that has many meanings.
Very well done, by the way. ^^

[Tai Ryens]

Thanks muchly, Blue.

[Bluefire]

No problem. ^^

[Frieda P]

Not sure what genre this would fit, it's a dark romance, and thriller all in one, with sadness and angst laced throughout...killer ending, literally and figuratively. Satisfyingly good....

[Tai Ryens]

Just an addition but my original title for this was "A Suicide Note," but I wouldn't want to sound insensitive nor inspire panic, aha. Thank you, friend, always lovely to hear your thoughts.

[stars are far]

Lifeless kiss..that took my attention for seconds..i loved this poem
well done

[Tai Ryens]

Thank you, stars, always lovely to see you 'round.

[stars are far]

My pleasure :)

[Einstein Noodle]

"and he was right."
my favorite part of the whole poem :)))
it is what it is ...isn't it brother!?
E.

[Tai Ryens]

Ah, thank you, Einstein.

[Baby Ricochet]

Lovely romantic poem Tai. Buzz kill of an ending though. I guess that's why it tragic.

[Tai Ryens]

I suppose, had a lot of trouble with this one, aha. Thanks, Bbay.