Love's Possibility of Tomorrows

If only I could have understood,
The game we were destined to play,
Could have been privy to the dance steps,
Prior to the music beginning.

How helpful it would have been,
Prior to combining the ingredients:
You.  Me.  My Love.  Your Intentions.
Before hastily mixing over our high heat.

But you know me.
Not exactly the cautious type.
Boldly jumping in without checking
If the pond has any water.

So…when your sunshine scent,
Looping linguistics and 
Effervescent elixir, 
All wafted into my hungry senses,	

I inhaled so deeply,
I hardly noticed the burn.
I gulped up the bait,
Until I was suffocating in the deceit.

I was hardly a worthy opponent.
I was already a fragile vessel.
There were surfaces on me,
Worn thin from previous storms.

Deep cracks in my hull,
Tears in my sails’ fabric,
Over-extended, thread-barren,
A soul in need of resurfacing.

But I guess you did warn me,
You said you should have,
Come with a warning label.
To be fair, I wouldn’t have read it.

“Warning.  Proceed With Caution.”
“Not Suitable for Amateurs.”
“Debilitating Pain Likely.”
“Sociopath On Board.”

As it was, I found myself splintered,
Dangerously taking on water,
In the eye of a major hurricane.  
Decidedly unseaworthy.

And finally, as they always do,
The shattering gale winds,
The relentless, pounding rain,
The deafening, crashing waves, settled.

And as I came to, hungrily gulping in,
Those first, new breaths, signs of life, 
My will to survive surging through me,
I finally, carefully took inventory:

Two arms…attached…still able,
One day to embrace another.
Two legs…not yet stable…but still able to, 
Carry me along another journey.

A soul…a bit wiser and still able to soar.
One heart…a bit bloody, but still beating,
With the rhythmic whisper of hope,
In love’s possibility of tomorrows.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

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

Sacks Avatar
May 9, 2017 at 1:02 PM
I loved reading your deliciously emotive poem, Elisa...a roller-coaster of dramatic imagery...just wonderful!
Christensen Avatar
May 11, 2017 at 1:57 AM
Sheila, What an encouraging and amazing comment! You don't know how much that means to me! Thank you! Elisa
Duet Avatar
May 9, 2017 at 12:20 PM
Wonderful dramatic verse, Elisa. I was glued to every word...and what great words! Good luck. You will survive. I've been there. Those playboys should come with instructions for sure!
Christensen Avatar
May 11, 2017 at 2:00 AM
Carole, Thank you SO much for your feedback! If only they came with a big, red, neon sign that said: Warning! Danger Ahead! Turn Back NOW! It would be so much more fair for us tenderhearted, naive, trusting types!! Lesson learned, I hope, although I never want to lose the innocence in me that let's me see the beauty in all people. Oh but did it ever smart! OUCH! Thanks again, your comment means so much to me! Elisa
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace