A simple poem...

of course I'm being facetious. I know poetry is not as easy as it looks. (Saying this as Muse has gun to my head).

A simple poem...

(About Love)

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

Write me a poem 

that sings with each verse

That dances like music 

emotes with each word

Write me a poem 

that paints with each line

In superfluous colors

which sparkle in ryhme 

Write me a poem 

with scent so divine

In lilac and roses

magnetic sublime 

Write me a poem 

of sorrow and woe

Melancholic in nature 

despondent in flow

Write me a poem

that describes every touch 

Which tingles the senses 

and fulfills every lust 

Write me a poem 

with all of these things 

Recited from knowledge 

transcendent as Spring 

And when you have written 

such things as above 

You'll finally comprehend

this feeling called love

Author's Note

My muse asked of me "What do you know about love?" I was taking aback by her question and somewhat defensive. I explained my trials and tribulations that defined my love life throughout my 57 years of life. She replied after my long winded explanation, "So you know nothing!" Again, I took offense to her comment going into further details about my experience of love. "Still doesn't change the fact you know nothing about love!" She said in calm tone while blowing on her freshly painted fingernails. " I know a lot about love!" was my retort. "No you don't because you've never been married, old man, and know nothing about loving anything greater than yourself." Touche. She had a point. Feel free to comment, troll, or laugh at my expense. CLE

Reviews

[Ann Outlaw]

I really enjoyed this, it felt light and airy as I was reading. You have a great way with composing words in short form that pack a punch, very nice. I would say on your note, however, marriage is a legally binding contract - marriage doesn't always portray true love, right? ;) Thanks for sharing!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Ann for sharing your thoughts on this poem. I've never been married or lived with someone I have loved. I can only reflect upon the ideas of love through my perspective, which I freely admit is biased and would never condone as love advice whatsoever. I'm 57 and this emotion is still a mystery to me. I don't honestly think love has a right or wrong way. It is simply a choice one must make with the intention of conditions they themselves place upon it. But again it's just my opinion that I accept is not something that is viewed right in general terms. Thank you again.

[Weeping willow]

Beautiful words with a lovely flow and a enjoyable read ;-}

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you WW I feel this piece really just wrote itself. Once in a magical moment we writers get into a flow or stream of consciousness that we do not control. That emotion comes to life and speaks its wisdom through our hand. That all the things we have ever lived through surface and come together revealing the purpose of our pain and reasons why it is needed. One can not understand love...until they have lived it. CLE

[GeorgeE]

Hi Carlos
First of all thank you for your kind comments on my poem Valediction. They really meant a lot to me.
I think I have read all your poetry now but the one I liked best was A Simple Poem. I loved the depth of emotion conveyed in your word imagery. It is something I aspire to myself and so seldom achieve.
Thank you for sharing that amazing piece of emotional writing art.
GeorgeE

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

thank you George you are too kind. I never thought much about this poem when first writing it, but in time it kind of grew on me. I still say my favorite poem I wrote was the serpent and the Holy man. Some would say an infinite sorrow was better. But art is subjective and we as writers, both you and I as well as the rest, don't really control what piece of writing will resonate most with the audience. We can only hope a piece of our work finds a place in someone's heart. That to me is all that matters. It's why I write. Even if it's for only one person I will consider it a success. So keep on writing and sharing your art. We are our worst critics and are never satisfied despite the kind words our audience may have. The achievement we seek should always be changing or inspiring one heart at a time, my friend. Thank you kindly again.

[Maxwell Ryder]

Well don’t be taken aback ever again! This was special. Lovely piece and rhyming scheme!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Maxwell for your comment on this poem. I wish I could say I know everything there is to know about love, but I would be lying. About the only thing I know wisdom wise about this emotion is that it requires a level of sacrifice. The amount depends on the willingness. I'm pretty selfish so it's not a wonder why I'm still single in my 50's. Thank you so much again.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This was delightful, Carlos, and greatly enjoyed! There are many things we know which we do not confess for fear of looking like fools and many things we do not know and fear to ask for the selfsame reason. Your writing is always worth the read and your wit as sharp as your pen. I always enjoy my visits to your page. F.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Fabian for your encouraging words. I had very strong female influences in my life, especially during my formative years. When it comes to the works that deal with difficult emotional subjects I write from those experiences and words of wisdom I was graced with in those times. Especially from my grandmother who in her life had over 20 children. She was definitely a wealth of knowledge. CLE

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Wonderful. I was graced with much wisdom from my mother as a child. I try to remember her voice always in my heart. I have four older sisters as well so I've had a bit of feminine influence. But I also had very strong male role models and I had three older brothers.

[Betty Hermelee]

So you want everything! to prove to your muse that you have loved, and you know very clearly about love.... so you want someone to tease you with love by writing sensually ....so you can soak up and feel the words...sings, dance ,paint, scents, touch, and to include melancholy, lust, woe, sorrow....this make a lovely tryst... I liked your preface with your muse.
Best, B

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Who am I to argue with her, for we all know women are much more wiser than men when it comes to love. They know this emotion on a more deeper level than we shall. Because they know the sacrifice, nurture, and unconditional aspects that are required of love to one for innately it is what they experience in the giving of life. We as men could never have that profoundly deeper connection or understanding to what gifts love provides the heart and soul. Because we have never carried it to term and given of ourselves that which is required by love in that powerful human experience. I know without a doubt if we had to give birth this world would be much more different and kinder a place to live. For much of my life the wiser words about life were not spoken by men but by women. Men have to learn to love, while women simply know. Thank you kindly B, for your thoughts on this piece. As well as this wonderful conversation. CLE

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Carlos... I think men know how to love as well, in fact they are usually the ones who make the first advance......Best, B

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Carlos... I think men know how to love as well, in fact they are usually the ones who make the first advance......Best, B

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Ah, the first move, my friends would often call it growing up. It is either the start of something greater or a simple opportunity for the moment. But it often reflects need more than emotion in men. Love needs time to flourish and nurture. Men are physical creatures that don't always have patience and tend to live in the moment believing something better is around the corner. It takes a strong woman's will and patience to teach a man how to love more than need. I remember having a conversation in my youth with my best friend Patrick. We were in our 20s and I told him there was a difference between making love and sex. He told me without skipping a beat that all the girls he ever bedded he loved in that moment. I was taken aback by this comment because I knew his history of infidelity. He was once in a relationship with two girls who were related, he cheated with his brother's wife, and he had a one night stand with the girlfriend of one of our friends. I hate to admit this but this behavior spoke to most of my male friends. I myself had always been in long term relationships, which I self destructively ruined or was influenced by my friends to walk away from. It took years for me to understand love I feel because of the people I was around who influenced me into believing their ideology on the virtue of it. Despite being taught at a young age by my grandmother on what is needed to love someone. Not just a woman, but friends as well. I didn't fully understand her lessons because they were foreign to me as a boy. I didn't know how powerful women hurt when they are deceived. I had to learn that the hard way, and come to terms with the mistakes I made by my selfishness and physical needs. Had I just listened to one who was wiser than I about love there would have been no regrets, or heartbreak. Love is not something innate within men, but lust is. Our intentions in the beginning are selfish in need, but time, patience, and learning teaches us how to love. I apologize B for rambling on and on about human nature. Even now in my late 50's I as a man am still learning how to love. It is a sad admission but one I feel so very pertinent to this discussion. Honesty. Wishing you the best my poet friend. CLE

[Betty Hermelee]

You have an excellent point Carlos; men have a NEED more then women and it's not called love either....I think love grows between two people, who may be first attracted by sex, but there's more to it, and they grow together in mind and body... on my blind date with my second husband, I thought okay nice guy... but on the second date he said "Id like to spend some time with you, your house or mine"...so the initial attraction was physical, but then we saw each other everyday and our love grew for both of us... and now we're married 37 years!!!! Love our discussions!!!
Best, B

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

You are both truly blessed to have such love, B. A once in a lifetime that took an abundance of equal giving and sacrifice as well as patience. Congrats on the 37 yrs that is an awesome accomplishment. Such love is truly deserving of the perfect poem or love letter. May it never stop inspiring your art. CLE

[Betty Hermelee]

you are too kind!!!
Best, B

[Ravenous_Rye]

Omg! I loved this! it was so simplistic, yet filling. I loved the author's note almost, even more. It was such a beautiful, glimpse into a moment you guys shared that I couldn't help but giggle at the end. I'm glad you have someone to make you laugh out loud. Thank you for sharing this.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for your kind and sweet comment on this poem. I really do appreciate it so much because if my words can bring a little joy and smile in someone's life that just means the world to me. I don't think us mean are ever to be experts on this emotion. Women are innately knowledgeable on this powerful emotion defined as love because they know what is required of it. The sacrifice. They give life and know what it takes from themselves to nourish and provide for it. The bond of mother to child is the greatest gift that we as men will never ever know; it is what love defines. Thank you so much again for your kind words. CLE

[Soren]

Love is a word that no dictionary can define. It has too many dimensions. I loved many of the things that your poem expressed and they read so well and naturally like the flow of a river or the tide that takes me with it. They reminded me of times gone by of special moments and feelings. The poem was beautiful, but I don't think complete yet. But then I don't know what love is either, only some aspects that I call love, others would disagree.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I so appreciate your insightful comment on this poem because it reflects my own feelings as well. It does feel like an incomplete work because much like the writer himself it is evolving an emotion. I will never consider myself an expert in love. I have failed in it more than succeeded if I'm to be honest. But that is just the way life is for most. Thank you my friend for sharing your thoughts with me on this poem.

[Stuart Munro]

Nobody knows anything about the word Love , it’s just a Word , someone once centuries ago made up a name to describe a feeling , Love , now we write and sing about it , but there’s a trillion forms of Love
If I never knew about Love , and I got deeply attracted to another person , I would say I’m personified
By you ,

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Love as an emotion demands a lifetime of education because much like us we are constantly evolving. We change like the seasons, as do our emotions. It is always why I temper my words by saying I'm no expert on this feeling of amorous affection. I have only lived it sporadically in my life. At different levels and purity. I hope to always be a novice to it because it requires much from us in dedication, sacrifice, and honesty. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me Stuart.

[keith]

'never been married' ... a definitive pre-requisite of LOVE?
oh your poor misguided, misinformed, maligned, unfortunate foolish muse.

how in the world would/could anyone think/believe/entertain such gibberish ... 'never been married'
HA!
such reasoning invites ignorance creating a blind spot that blocks evidence otherwise.

my work, my art, my sculptures, my written words expressing my 'love' of the rock we call home, my love for my country and the democracy it fosters, my love for most creatures (don't like snakes) my love for emotions, my very existence.

you know the love i am, what i am, because i am.

your muse and i have entertained her kinship as well needing to step out of the box, the shell, the false pretense of being an expert of anything we are not.

i willingly chose art as my life endeavor, as the object of my love and dedication rather than a partnering of another being that has not precluded me from the love not restricted to a marriage.
i have no guilt, no shame, no regret for being a 72 year old bachelor.

i am in love with life! who is to define 'what LOVE is?

other than that, my friend, this is another good write.
you have a distinct approach to your relationship ... the muse. not difficult to recognize the firm chock hold 'she' has upon you. HEY! we are not gonna go there but ...
you and your pen, you and your muse go it going on! you got it going on!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I find myself content in my solitude for no other reason than I am less bereft of heartbreak and disappointment. Though I caution it is not always about the expectations of others I may have, but of my own in the responsibilities that love requires of me. Often I battle my muse on these subjective beliefs and ideologies that are obtrusive and unnecessary in the fulfillment of a healthy conducive life. Why should I be the villain or martyr when it comes to Love? If I am pessimistic towards one's emotional attachments does that not reflect a wisdom in and of itself? Love can be everything and nothing, as far as I'm concerned. Sure, these words come from a 57 yr old bachelor whose seen plenty of heartache in his time, but it doesn't make it any less true. Now, with that being said I may recognize some hypocrisy on my part in some of the art created. Perhaps a dreamer's aspect of what Love should be. But I acknowledge that such things are out of my control and much like art itself Love is subjective. In the great words of an American poet and singer who once said, "Love is a battlefield". Thank you my friend for sharing your thoughts and always providing an enlightening perspective in our conversations.