Pale Heart

I wake up in a bed barely rumpled
to confront truth of jarring, endless ache - 
I am broken, my pale heart beats crumbled.
My nonchalant is an ascetic fake.

My furtive thoughts imagine you as dead.
Finality could be absorbed by me
quicker than abandonment’s gift of dread.
Love ifs of heart-wish will not set me free.

Longing to be numb or somehow just gone,
I sit in the hole of my once whole heart.
I struggle to simply, tightly hold on
and humble myself that healing might start.

He who once asked me for lifelong embrace,
left me holding just pain lacking all grace.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Rodrigues Avatar
July 31, 2021 at 5:28 AM
Catharsis in poetry. Working out all the nuances of grief. Congratulations, dear poet!
Alex Avatar
July 30, 2021 at 8:35 PM
Very beautiful and creative write. Congratulations!
Rodd Avatar
March 17, 2018 at 12:17 PM
Oh the sorrows of a love lost. So many raw and relateable emotions here.
Roper Avatar
February 12, 2018 at 6:50 PM
Congratulations on your win, CayCay, nicely done and enjoyed reading. Hugs Eve ~`*
Gauthier Avatar
February 12, 2018 at 2:17 PM
Back with well deserved congrats, CayCay. Marvelous poem.
Ashley Avatar
February 11, 2018 at 6:52 PM
CayCay, returning with a big congratulations on your excellent win with your beautifully sad sonnet. I so enjoyed reading your poem of lovely melancholy once more.. Warmest wishes my friend. ~Susan
Haight Avatar
February 11, 2018 at 3:35 PM
So sad, but so beautifully written, CayCay! I felt the pain in your 'pale heart' with the words of emotion you expressed so well. Congratulations on your fine podium placement in the contest. Hugs, Sandra
Gondolf Avatar
February 11, 2018 at 2:05 PM
CayCay, back to say congrats for your win for this wonderful sonnet. John
Hamilton Avatar
February 11, 2018 at 1:38 PM
What an amazing write Cay Cay, 35/40 good enough for 3rd place, congrats on a great write!
Godwin Avatar
February 11, 2018 at 1:48 PM
I feel as though I've received a grade from my English teacher and I can't help but smile. We do all teach each other and your contest efforts facilitate such, so my thanks to you, John. All the best ... CayCay
Breedt Avatar
February 2, 2018 at 9:44 PM
To me its a spill over from Long Awaited Call as the sadness lingers on. I just know youre reloading for something bigger down the drag, another IT coming up. I guess Im doing the same thing, hopefully, hence my silence lately.
Ashley Avatar
February 1, 2018 at 7:21 PM
Wow! CayCay, you've penned such a sadly beautiful sonnet. The required words were woven into the lost-love fabric of your poem with lovely ease and your final couplet is expressed with amazing melancholy. Your write weeps wonderfully with the feeling of emotional loss. Best wishes for a win and warmest wishes for you my lovely friend.. ~Susan
Godwin Avatar
February 1, 2018 at 8:08 PM
You sound like your upbeat self so I feel encouraged to feel relieved. If I remember, your sonnet had the added talent of correct meter and was so eloquent, Susan. I'm delighted to find you, yes I am, and truly enjoyed reading your lovely comments. All the best, always ... CayCay
Canerdy Avatar
February 1, 2018 at 11:46 AM
SO well-written and moving, CayCay! Janice
Godwin Avatar
February 1, 2018 at 12:50 PM
I am very happy to have your upbeat comments. Thank you so much, Janice. Blessings ... CayCay
Gondolf Avatar
February 1, 2018 at 10:31 AM
A very emotive write, CayCay, I could feel the sadness. Good use of the required words as well. Best of luck. John
Godwin Avatar
February 1, 2018 at 11:06 AM
You dear man, the sadness is 'memory born' - I just tapped in and thankfully am not in that state. I am glad to see you, it reminds me that much earlier I made a mental note to visit your pages. Darned if I don't frequently lose my mental notes! All the best ... CayCay
One Avatar
February 1, 2018 at 7:09 AM
Woah what an excellent sonnet, I feel the sadness of loss in this poem and the last two lines are fitting.. Great use of the words, especially the 4th line.. I think John will love this one..
Godwin Avatar
February 1, 2018 at 8:02 AM
Thank you for my first 'woah', darn exciting that 'woah', actually your comments made my morning. I appreciate your words and you very much. I hope all is golden in your world. Blessings ... CayCay
Gauthier Avatar
January 31, 2018 at 9:41 PM
Excellent emotional sonnet. Very well done, CayCay.
Godwin Avatar
February 1, 2018 at 8:03 AM
Thank you, Line - your comments are very encouraging and much appreciated! All the best ... CayCay
Roper Avatar
January 31, 2018 at 9:19 PM
Great sonnet, CayCay, a broken heart can make us pretty cold ..
Godwin Avatar
February 1, 2018 at 8:05 AM
Thank you, dear one. Broken hearts are horrible, we make it thru, but oh is it an awful 'place' to be. Cold is apt, so is dark and heavy. I'll stop. No broken hearts for us today! All the best ... CayCay
Marcum Wong Avatar
January 31, 2018 at 9:06 PM
You did great on this entry CayCay! Those words just did not speak to me like they did to you. I hope I see this melancholy piece on the winner's list. : )
Godwin Avatar
February 1, 2018 at 8:07 AM
Oh, Connie - I did not notice the required words until right before I posted. Good thing I thrive on revision challenges (seriously, I enjoy them) and was able to work it out. In some contests, it is a bit hard to be your true self when certain words are required, make sense? I hope you are wonderful, dear friend. Love ... CayCay
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