Jesse Zerlaut Poet Free verse

Courtship of Poetry

I wrestle with my words in aimlessness when I write.
Poetry is a relationship to me, it's a troubled courtship.
I can't come to reasonable reform in words on the spot..
but rather seek intimacy with my thoughts in attempt. 

The two of us, man and his romantic notions,
carelessly Laid into tousled affections on a page.
I love her, and the page, she spurns me willfully.
I love her, and grasp in hopelessness to understand her.

I give my undivided attention, my eyes wander her form.
I've sought shamelessly to appease her whispered desires.
But she is a selfish lover, asking for more than can be given.
She, the playful counterpart in a field of rationality, often eludes me.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Mark J. Halliday December 21, 2018 at 11:04 AM Very classy. All of can relate. Jesse Zerlaut December 21, 2018 at 11:56 AM Thank you, glad you like it.

J Hamilton Gist April 18, 2017 at 8:40 PM I love her too! Jesse Zerlaut April 27, 2017 at 1:34 AM heh, we all do. I suspect it's why we're all here, J. thanks for reading.

Marna Henrico April 11, 2017 at 3:36 PM Jesse, I simply love this poem. What a unique and delightful way to view the process! Jesse Zerlaut April 27, 2017 at 1:33 AM Thank you, Marna. It's an intimate thing.. writing. Laying all your thoughts on the page to be naked before the eyes that read them. So I hold it very precious.

Chris Hagy March 31, 2017 at 3:22 PM Excellent piece Jesse:)...you seem to have "courted" this page very well! I am a gusher, so usually when I write a poem, it just all comes out, though occasionally I too struggle to find the right words...then I let it sit for a day, and it seems to finish itself. Beautiful write:) Jesse Zerlaut April 3, 2017 at 10:34 AM I wish everything came out in words for me! I feel like I stutter on the page. Then I go back through and have to change nearly half of what I wrote. At the end of the day 90% of what I write, I hate. Thank you for reading, glad you enjoyed it.

Anil Deo March 29, 2017 at 12:20 PM Jesse, you are a writer, undoubtedly. You wrote about the struggle "beautifully and romantically. My comment earlier was off-target: you need to keep wander" if you intend "travel" which you say you do. Forgive me and forgive yourself. "I regret some things but learned not to call myself names like daft," which is a WORD CURSE. Please research this truth, and never describe who God made in a negative way, even if errors are made. Shalom Brother in Christ Jesus.

Anil Deo March 26, 2017 at 1:45 PM Jesse, this is a unique poem in many ways. The metaphors are really NOT ones I have seen before: congrats. I would tighten the metaphor and the first lines of each of these stanzas. Unless I am wrong - and you intended them - I disagree you show "aimlessness" in Line, or that "undivided attention ... [permits] my eyes wander her form." Does the latter signify, "I WONDER about her form"? (Somewhat like homophones, "wonder" and "wander" have different meanings) Jesse Zerlaut March 28, 2017 at 8:16 AM Wander was needed in this instance. to wander or "Travel" meaning that my eyes are gazing over the words I've wrote trying to decide if I'm in love with the words or just merely accepting of it. "this is it" or "can I find better?" as for tighten, I might be too thick or daft to understand what you mean with "tighten the metaphor" and I do wrestle with my own words and even thoughts, aimlessly, with no destination planned.

Neil Alexander March 26, 2017 at 12:10 PM Great thanks.

Neil Alexander March 26, 2017 at 11:46 AM The poet's mystique, sees those Images hidden from other's eyes. Or, Is it a poet's destiny, to retire into their head? Seeking relevance in thoughts that move the hand. Drawn by compulsion to react to evolving life. Their psyche's revealed by ink marks Jesse Zerlaut March 28, 2017 at 8:48 AM that was extremely deep and insightful Neil. Glad you came to read the poem. :)

Ninette Carey March 26, 2017 at 11:13 AM Love this! Very Sweet and Tender you grace your words! Thank You! For giving us a view into your dance with words! ? Jesse Zerlaut March 28, 2017 at 8:47 AM Thank you for your kind words, Ninette. I'm glad you like it, and indeed it is very much a dance. But perhaps a dance where I'm stepping on the toes of my partner. heh.

Dave Timperley March 26, 2017 at 10:34 AM I love this, the way you wrestle with it. For me it is like cooking a great meal. The end result looks nothing like all the ingredients laid out on the table. Great write. #7 God Bless. D. Jesse Zerlaut March 28, 2017 at 8:36 AM Thank you, Dave, and your metaphor is a perfect example on the matter! It does come out very much like a cooked meal. I think I have the same problem with cooking though. I know how, I just throw things together and hope they come out tasting good. thanks for reading. God Bless

Madeleine Loggia March 26, 2017 at 10:10 AM I thought this was a beautiful picture of the strong t can be to flow to paper was swirls in ones mind Jesse Zerlaut March 28, 2017 at 8:28 AM thank you, Madeleine. glad you enjoyed it.

David Pekrul March 26, 2017 at 9:58 AM I know the feeling well. Poetry is a cruel lover. Jesse Zerlaut March 28, 2017 at 8:28 AM she's a heart breaker to be sure. ;) thanks for reading.

Becca Teagan October 27, 2016 at 9:52 PM I love how you wrote this, Jesse! There truly is an intimacy, a love relationship, with our poems :) This is awesome - saving this to my favorites. Becca Teagan October 28, 2016 at 9:40 AM So true, Jesse. Sometimes the words just won't come, and that is very frustrating... but then when they do come, it's a nice feeling. Keep writing! Jesse Zerlaut October 27, 2016 at 10:00 PM thank you Rebecca. I'd go as far as to consider it a love/hate relationship. Times it finds us in frustration when you can't find the words to express exactly what we feel. glad you like it. :)