Reachless

Reachless (by phone) - Keeping The Distance - Protecting My Heart

 

 

I close my eyes to the quiet falling,

spun in silken thought and memory’s trove,

and propel myself through starlight sprawling

over the hidden niche of this alcove.

 

I breathe in time and hold the moment still

leaning into that slope of silent space

and travel dimensions that flaunt and fill

and blossom behind the eyes of my face.

 

I wrap my mind around this universe

of electric plumes and super novas

diving deep into voiceless realms inverse

with sunburst perspective crowned coronas.

 

The wheel runs down into a peaceful hush;

and I walk a mile in memory’s shoes

to a time of joy, decadent and lush,

painted with brushstrokes of heavenly hues.

 

The syllables of your voice sweetly call

as the moon tilts on her silvery rim,

and the new year pledges nothing and all

as is her capricious impulse and whim.

 

I sink into silken layers of sleep,

rubbing my ribs against rippling streams

while you scatter the seeds of love so deep

that blossom within a garden of dreams.

 

Gowned in black silence, my body denies

all the caresses that haunt me within

as I dream your face, your smile, and your eyes;

and I am tongue-tied by this gilded sin.

 

The white page of dawn is a hymn of praise,

a poem written and blown to the wind;

and I pray that such seeds plant in my days

a love that never shall come to its end.

 

I pass through the keyhole of December

and open my eyes to January

where the heart, body, and soul remember

a lover that I never did marry.

 

I never imagined my heart’s rejoice

nor the butterflies that I feel inside

when I listen to the sound of his voice

but cannot answer for my wounded pride.

 

I unveiled my heart, but he did not hear.

He looked right at me, but he could not see.

Nothing has changed for me. I love him dear.

It will always be. It will always be.

 

 

Author's Note

“I figured I’d give you a call and tell you Happy New Year. I hope you had a good holiday, and I also kind of wanted to be one of the last voices you heard this year; and I may even call you back after New Year’s to be one of the first voices you’ll hear at the beginning of the year. Just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you though and wanted to tell you once again, ‘Happy New Year.’ Hopefully, I’ll talk to you soon. Bye.” ~ Transcript of Telephone Message from DWG, December 31, 2013, 11:00 p.m.

This is the only man that I have ever been in love with, the only man that I ever wanted to marry. We've been in and out of each other's lives since we were in high school together. Despite my love for him, I had to remove myself from his life, in order to protect my own heart. He still tries to call and has even moved closer to me, but I can't even allow myself to talk to him because I know that it would be my undoing. I love him so I set him free.

Reviews

[David Scott]

I liked this poem Linda. You threw in a few cliché's, but it worked for me still.
Overall, you told your story well and I felt something I could relate to well.
Good work!

[Solilokiss]

You write so very well. Well done. I look forward to reading more of you.

[Jack...]

Beautiful Linda. I completely understand your feelings as you present this to us and how the indecision of this lover over the years has caused you to make your decision. Hopefully this new year brings new adventures and perhaps that love that may possibly take his place.

[Lydia Shutter]

As poets, when we love, we love with our entire beings. Our souls become entwined in the soul of another....and we can never undo the emotion. We can never quite forget. The ache of longing is so intense in this amazingly emotional write, Linda. His phone call may be well intentioned, but hearing his voice on your answering machine is like a knife in your heart...and oul. The one who got away....physically, but never emotionally.....will always be seen through that keyhole. Overwhelmingly poignant....a bittersweet masterpiece, my friend. Lydi**

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Lydia. I'm glad you understand. It's insanity, but I have saved his message and listen just for the sake of hearing his voice. It just sets my spirit soaring while my feet are firmly planted on the ground.

[fireblossom]

I understand what you said in the note above. Your poem is lovely. While reading I felt close to you. I don't know you as an individual but I know you as a writer who is willing to open herself. I also felt and drew from the femininity of your poem. It was intimate yet dignified. Reading the note at the end gave the poem a much deeper meaning. For me it actually went from lovely to stunning.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

O! Thank you so much. Your words have made me smile and gladdened my heart. :-)

[J. Alfred Prufrock]

you always take us on journey. this was melodic and beautiful