Sotto Poet Poet Rhyme

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Shadows of Lost Love

Written: April 27, 2025, for contest by Anoucheka Gangabissoon

Quote: "Your task is not to seek love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it." By Rumi

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When love weakens, a vacuum remains,  
A canvas painted with countless shades of gray.  
Laughter fades into a quiet pain,  
And joy shifts into a foreboding sway.  

A world of vibrant colors unfolds before you,  
Yet now dull tones steal away a fading dream.  
The echo of your presence hits frighteningly true,  
A spectral grip, a limitless gleam.  

Once filled with laughter, now it's a mournful sigh,  
Craving the touch of a once-lovely grace.  
My spirit shrinks and begins to softly die,  
As darkness stretches across my face.  

Yet a spark still flickers amid gloom,  
An unknown strength; a will to rise anew.  
A phoenix emerges from the grave of doom,  
A reborn self, strong, courageous, and true.  

Though love may have faded, a lesson shines bright;  
To spot the beauty in a tightly clenched shell.  
To conquer suffering, I must stand and fight,  
Learning to love myself and embrace the tale to tell.

Accept the love that escaped you,
Love is not a feeling, but rather a choice.
Being able to love is even more untrue,
A strong love adorns our lives with rejoice.

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Krishnanand Guptar June 8, 2025 at 9:02 AM Back with congratulations poet friend on your win in this contest with an inspiring poem on facing the aftermath of fading love. As rightly pointed out, one may spot beauty in the inner self and " To conquer suffering, I must stand and fight, Learning to love myself and embrace the tale to tell.". Wish you a cheerful day.

Howard Kerr June 7, 2025 at 7:57 AM Congratulations Sotto, Yours is a silken sequence of astounding literary craft. This heartfelt odyssey is no exception on that emotion that can elicit rivers of passion within us. As well as humanising each human being. Tragically love can sometimes decompose and disintegrate but there are shards of optimism in the quest for its replacement. Well done Howard

Paige Hind April 29, 2025 at 9:51 PM "The echo of your presence hits frighteningly true" mmhmm :)

Duke Beaufort April 29, 2025 at 5:09 AM SP....you've given me a lot to think about here. Isn't it interesting how at times we feel incomplete without love? I think you very wisely point out that we do need to love ourselves. I think having friends is a good lead in to love. Let it develop. The whole concept of attraction can get out of hand pretty quickly if we're not careful...especially when it doesn't end well. Smiles!!

Michael Tor April 28, 2025 at 11:59 AM Lovely message my Dear friend. You have captured love perfectly and the void without it and hope to achieve it. Beautiful words my friend which I really found inspirational to love again as you say "It is a Choice" Another favorite Lasaad incredible theme and heartfelt truth of love with and without. A favorite my friend...

Ink Empress April 28, 2025 at 3:44 AM Yes dr sotto, you are right and your wisdom flows in such eloquence, i agree with what youve delivered here as a reminder to all readers too, sometimes even when love fades, the love within stays alive and self love is the best form of love we can give ourselves! I really love the line "A phoenix emerges from the grave of doom, A reborn self, strong, courageous, and true. "the strength and resilience woven in there is beyond poetic and powerful! Pleasure reading this, best wishes always

Victor Buhagiar April 28, 2025 at 1:27 AM I would say that love is both a feeling and a choice. Together there should be harmony. Great poem.

I Am Anaya April 27, 2025 at 2:17 PM You've said it, Dr., the way I wish I could've. My fave line is "Love is not a feeling, but rather a choice. Being able to love is even more untrue, A strong love adorns our lives with rejoice." It's what's needed to be addressed! Ty for this jewel, SP. You're expensive poetic verses and musical interests, are of the divine ~ it is so good to know you poet. Anaya

Paula Goldsmith April 27, 2025 at 11:22 AM What a Lovely write you have here. I enjoyed reading your "Shadows of Lost Love." Love your line, "Love is not a feeling, but rather a choice." So true... "Good Luck" if for a contest. Have a wonderful Sunday.........

Besma Riabi Dziri April 27, 2025 at 11:12 AM When love wanes darkness outshines all that is bright.. the colours wear different hues.. the sound of laughter fades and heavy the weight of pain.. You are a poet who acknowledges the value of Love, who sees its beauty, who recognises its power to render Life worth rejoicing and Humanity gracefully and meaningfully living. Dear Lasaad, your poetry has the humane beauty, the artistic wonder and the spiritual insight! An immense delight reading your inspiring gem! My deepest regards and blessings