The Madness of Don Quixote

Please take this piece of poetry with a grain of salt, a dab of lemon, a pinch of cinnamon, and a shot of tequila. You're going to need it, and you can thank me later.

The Madness of Don Quixote

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

"That's the nature of women, not to love when we love them, and to love when we love them not." - 

Miguel de Cervantes

In this flight of fantasy 

I wear my armor righteously 

Holdfast to noble cause

For justice and its laws

A preening knight in chivalry

Jousting towards each victory

I slay the dragons of my mind

in tilted windmills left behind 

Yet, I pine in sorrowful delusion

Whilst lost in reverie of ardor's Illusion 

For the tragedy of madness and love; are akin

In these wars; that our hearts...can not win.

Author's Note

My muse Cate Blanchett asked me in between a puff of her long cigarette. "Would you die for love?" I waited for the briefest second before answering, "Would this particular love die for me?" I asked looking deep into her glamorous eyes. "Yes." She replied. And in my pugnacious cynicism I said, "No. If someone loves me that much then they should want to live an eternity of nagging frustrated angst. That's why it's considered unconditional. " With those words this single battle was won. I shall celebrate my victory against her; cautiously. PS, in the words of the great rock poet who once sang this most powerful statement on love in which I recognize now as true, "Love is a battlefield". Indeed...

Reviews

[Red Brick Keshner]

Pat Benatar knew her stuff. And old Don Quixote was the first novel I read (in English). Also saw the older film version in B&W. I particularly enjoy the windmill jousting scene and Sophia Loren singing "It's All the Same" is particularly stuck in my memory still. Those were the days Carlos, those were the days!
Frederick.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Frederick… Bravo on your Review. Absolutely True Blue and Beautiful… Pat

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I agree with Pat on your thoughtful comment Fredrick. Thank you both so much for your time and kind words. I really appreciate it. CLE

[Betty Hermelee]

I believe you mean that no one wins in love, nor in war....that it can be painful and not necessarily unconditional...as usual your exquisite writing and rhyming really shine in this piece.....and I believe when two people are in love, there has to be some angst as well, or they're just not human.
Best, B

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you B for your kind comment on this poem. Whenever I write about love I always have to let it be known it is strictly from my biased perspective I draw upon. It's not the best view either to be frank. It's quite literally the worst, especially from what I endured as a child seeing the deterioration of my parents marriage as well as a few other people I knew. Seeing and experiencing these things up close and personal has had a lasting effect on most of my personal relationships. Love for me has always been a traumatic and tragic experience and mostly self destructive on my part I readily admit. Though the romantic in me always hopes for the better like Don Quixote in that aspect. I'm always tilting windmills in my mad pursuit of this greater emotion I like to think of as a higher love. Thnk you for sharing your wise words with me B. CLE

[Betty Hermelee]

I get it, believe me!!! You're very welcome!
Best, B

[Neville]

Love is the most beautiful four letter word sir Carlos and you sir are indeed a fine poet ...... Neville :)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Neville for the kind words. They are very encouraging and mean a lot. Poetry in many ways is still very new to me. I had always felt most comfortable in short story writing. But when I first came to this website and started reading the variety of art many share I was captivated by the Poetry. A style of writing I never really dabbled in when I was young. I just didn't think I would be very good at it to be honest. But it's grown on me and actually challenged me as a writer to do something outside my comfort zone. It also reawaken my creativity. The curiosity in art I thought I lost after my father's death. To get encouragement from my peers and artists whose work I admire as well really does mean a lot. Thank you again Neville.

[Neville]

write on brother :) N

[John the Baptist]

Good rhyming, as usual. Yes, both love and madness can be painful (unless you are one of those schizophrenic people who hear happy voices). That's why you need a faithful Sancho Panza to see you through the tough times. Mine's called merlot.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Merlot sounds like a faithful companion, though unfortunately for me addiction runs very rampant in my family so I stay away from drink and any drug. Though writing if anything is my drug of choice and tends to soothe those happy voices you mentioned. Thank you so much JB for sharing your thoughts with me.

[John Prophet]

Great write as usual. Let’s not forget that love is a four letter word.😉

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Lol yes indeed it is my friend. And yet we still can't seem to get enough of it....love that is. Thank you kindly for your comment.

[Lorry]

Slaying dragons of the mind aren't any easier to slay, but love has probably got something to do with that too. It is after all a battle fought in the mind, pyrrhic in nature, as any victory comes at too great a cost.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thus is the madness of love. It is an incurable ailment for the romantic. One that always drives me crazy when I fall for it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me Lorry.