How You Must Have Suffered To Pluck A Cloud

How you must have suffered to pluck a cloud,

to tear its tendrils to rain in my heart,

to sweep the sadness of a coffin shroud

casting long shadows to keep us apart.

 

The broken pledges and unstoried lies,

how you must have suffered to pluck a cloud,

to furrow the fields of waterless eyes

and carry onward, uncaring and proud.

 

You struck a chord that was daring and loud.

You were the string to my soaring balloon.

How you must have suffered to pluck a cloud

and place it over the lamp of the moon.

 

I captured a star to be near my side,

but there are wishes that are disavowed.

I cannot shine where dark sorrows abide.

How you must have suffered to pluck a cloud.

Author's Note

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Infidelity sucks. The betrayal lingers for years and though sometimes it is possible to forgive, it is impossible to forget. In this brilliantly written poem I don’t believe it forgiven or forgotten. The bitterness remains. The repetition adds emphasis.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

"How you must have suffered to pluck a cloud." The sarcasm barely covers (and sometimes doesn't) a deep sense of anger over a betrayal. The addressee was apparently the sun of the speaker's heavens until "the broken pledges and unstoried lies," which I sense refer to unfaithfulness. Though the battle is over, the bitterness apparently isn't, and I hope for the speaker's sake it some day will be.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This was rather wonderful. I enjoyed. The accompanying photo along with the content made me think of the Belle of Amherst.

[William Michael Reeves]

Darnitt, the name of this form is on the tip of my tongue! That line that advances as one then two, etc. But if you have a star at your side the power is yours. Clouds melt when Linda writes!

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you for the review, William. It's called a Quatern.

[Tom]

" How you must have suffered to pluck a cloud,
to tear its tendrils to rain in my heart,
to sweep the sadness of a coffin shroud
casting long shadows to keep us apart. "

.... So impressive this first stanza I had to highlight but then as I continued reading this candidly penned, poignant poem, I could really have pasted the four complete, eloquent stanzas, such strong, heart-wrenching writing my friend, complimented so by both picture above and piano virtuoso beneath, five star penmanship! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Hello, Tom. Thank you so much for the lovely review. This is one of those poems where the first line just dropped into my head and the rest spilled forth from there. For you to highlight it is particularly flattering. I thought the image suited it perfectly and gives it that old-world, classic appeal. This is the niche that I would love to stay in best. Thanks again.

[Tom]

Welcome, welcome, yes indeed, couldn't agree more!

[willweb]

The feeling of loss and sadness in this fill my sky with clouds and the impending rain they will bring. I know the moon is up there someplace and the stars are longing to appear but, not on this night. You mentioned before the loss of the love of your life...those feelings have appeared again in your words...I think. Amazing my friend.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you will. Shadows have a way of burrowing into bone. They become a part of who you are.

[Gee]

I count myself as one of the lucky ones that have never suffered lost love,I met, fell in love and married within 18months to my now wife of 30 years( this coming November) There is a sadness that could be touched in this finely written piece

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I remember someone who plucked that cloud...it has been raining ever since where my world meets hers.
And I know she suffered greatly.
this one punched me in the gut...memories almost 40 years old, still stare at me from that cloud above.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I'm sorry, Jacob. I feel your pain, have felt that rain. It seems an endless shower in the back of our brain.

[Perdition]

There seems to be a deep invading melancholy stalking this site as of lately, but the elegant wish for your light to return is refreshing in these rich emotional lines which are both rewarding as they are powerful … even as I hear your strain, I sense only the regathering of your shine in every word. Beautifully offered ~

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you so much. Your insight and thoughtfulness is noted.

[AYVID N]

Dear Linda,

Some people will do anything to bring us a rain of tears. They'll go to any extent to pluck a cloud to darken our days. The imagery is so breathtaking here and the repeated line in every verse opens me to a unique vista of meaning. Every word felt, every verse appreciated from the heart. I loved this poem and the chosen artwork too.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Divya. Yes, there are those people. There are those heartbreaking moments in life. Karma always comes full circle though, and the damage wrought is much greater than the damage caused to another. I firmly believe that. There is always a rainbow after the rain. For that, I am grateful.

[AYVID N]

Indeed, the good hearted are, in the end, rewarded, especially spiritually. You're most welcome, dear Linda.