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A Broken Heart

Nascent dawn's pale omen loomed
and eased me from my pensive trance.
But I am stirred 
beyond expression’s means—
my face suffused with tears.
Mercifully, stolid memory 
desists in part,
dread recall’s threat 
impounded by advancing age.

My conscience then begs destiny,
pressing to undo.
But heaven spares not its majesty,
and history, 
ever breathing in,
refuses to exhale,
a broken heart to salve.
Grimly, I stand and take a single step,
and one more after that.

3rd Place, Giorgio's Impress me II ! ( Old/New )

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Robin Davis

Date: 5/7/2014 8:57:00 PM

Mark Such a heartfelt and emotional poem full of sadness, despair, pain and sorrow. The feelings coming from you are well crafted in this write. Thank you for the nice comment on my Moon poem.

Debbie Guzzi

Date: 2/23/2014 9:15:00 PM

A hard time to go through, more than once I thought to love so deeply and risk its lose wasn't a wise thing to do, I did it twice and I'm still not sure it was worth the pain of parting. But, the heart wants what it wants yes? Light & Love

Mark Peterson
Date: 2/23/2014 11:51:00 PM

I'm not sure about better to have loved and lost, either. Marci and I have five marriages between us--this one now in its 38th year, however. Are relationships like that old saying about boats? The 2nd best and the best days?

Roy Jerden

Date: 2/12/2014 5:42:00 PM

I really like this one Mark. It's so eerie in a way, because I wrote one just a few days ago that could be the prequel to this, depending on how one interprets yours. See "What Can I Do" (No "?", because special characters are not allowed in titles.) BTW, I run into the issue of using an extended vocabulary, too. Cheers, Roy

Mark Peterson
Date: 2/23/2014 11:48:00 PM

Sorry I'm late in reply, Roy. Kind of lost track. I'll check your poem and reflect. Yes, lots of words, and this is the only place to use them, for which I'm grateful.

Dr.Ram Mehta

Date: 2/5/2014 12:17:00 AM

IT impressed me too and congrats on the win, mark

Mark Peterson
Date: 2/8/2014 11:44:00 AM

Thanks Dr.Ram.

Wendy Meyer

Date: 12/29/2013 8:38:00 AM

Hello Mark! Thank you for visiting my page. I'm usually late in reply, but truly appreciate any great poet stopping by. Well, this one from you is a master piece that awakens my senses. Surely, any broken heart deserves a well-expressed write...~Wendy

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/4/2014 2:58:00 PM

Wendy, it appears that I failed to respond to your comment, something I just discovered with regret. I so appreciate your remarks. Yet greatness is perceived alone by those yet greater, so the praise is yours.

Jon A Cavanaugh

Date: 12/27/2013 1:35:00 AM

What a way with words you have. Loved the last two lines.

Jon A Cavanaugh
Date: 1/9/2014 11:22:00 PM

I read it a grim determination to stoically live on.

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/29/2013 3:18:00 AM

Thanks, Jon. Always great to see my favorite poets here. I'm still trying to figure out what the last two lines mean. It could either be grim determination to carry on or a step off the cliff. The lines came to me but not their meaning.

Nocturnal Poet

Date: 12/19/2013 10:50:00 AM

HEY MARK REALLY A SAD POEM AND I MUST SAY IT'S JUST WOW!!!!

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/19/2013 12:45:00 PM

Mahima, so lovely to have you visit and read my poem. "Wow' really says a lot to me. Thanks. I will visit you soon.

Brian Cosgrove

Date: 12/16/2013 4:29:00 PM

Your mountain is always there to defeat and as you say one step at a time We learn every day how to succed in our endeavours. Your writing is great I cannot write in that manner Each to his own Bless you Mark

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/16/2013 7:52:00 PM

Brian, I actually can't write the things I write but nice of all you guys to say I can.

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 12/15/2013 11:33:00 PM

Hello Mark, I'm not doing much commenting these days... But, something drew me to your page. The imagery is seized by time, for sure... However, taking one step at a time, will heal with every breath you take... I much enjoyed the poem. Sending smiles... LINDA

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/16/2013 8:09:00 AM

Linda, I wonder what strange notion drew you to my page. Whatever it is I'm grateful because I treasure your comments.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/15/2013 9:53:00 AM

It is a treat to see someone with such a good grasp of the language, Mark. That is cool what you said about my use of myriad!! Are you a grammarian too? I learned a lot by teaching ESL

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/15/2013 12:51:00 PM

Andrea, the two best teachers I had in school were both English teachers. The other great grammarian I had was my mother. Grammar was invented to distinguish between the classes, a behavior I detest. Nevertheless, bad grammar to my ear is like singing off key, which is unbearable to listen to. So I try to use the language correctly and enjoy it when others do so as well.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/14/2013 9:20:00 PM

oh my, such a poignant poem and the way you ended it, brilliant!!

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/14/2013 10:18:00 PM

Andrea, I'm so pleased about the favorable impact my poem had on you. From my beginning here (not so long ago) and consistently through to the present, you've been there with consistent encouragement and support. Thank you so much.

Chuck Melugin

Date: 12/13/2013 4:42:00 PM

My main man Mark. Pure Poetry! Outstanding! 7 Chuck

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/13/2013 4:58:00 PM

Thanks, Chuck. You made my day. Every time I'm about to give up, a dear friend shows up with a comment that helps me believe my poetry doesn't suck. Gratitude.

The Situation

Date: 12/13/2013 12:36:00 PM

very poetically spoken. i liked every word except the first. i dont know what it means. haha.

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/13/2013 1:26:00 PM

LOL. That really caused me to chuckle. I figure that, if I had to work writing the dang thing, readers should also have a little something to do. Thanks very much for stopping by.

Joseph Sergi

Date: 12/12/2013 5:57:00 PM

Mark a very moving and sad poem. The last line really took hold of me.

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/12/2013 6:38:00 PM

Joseph, good to see you here, and thanks so much for your remarks; I'm glad the poem had an impact on you, for that is why we write. I don't start out poems, intending them to be happy or sad. That's dictated by the words that come to me, and I don't have any control over that.