The Battle

The menace of war in the chaos of life
The peril of ocean when tempests are rife;
The danger of jungle where feral beasts hide
The terror that lies in a mountain slide.
All these things are simple child's play
Or frivolous sport on a summer's day;
These sad battles that rouse and vex
The heart and soul of love and sex.

Struggle and hardship,  beasts of prey
Are there to menace all human clay:
The bird uncaged can take to his wing
But the hazard of love is another thing;
Under the torment of passion's control
Love crushes the body and steals the soul.
A minute of rapture, an age of despair,
These are the gifts of love's warfare.

Always and forever since time began
When man dared woman and woman lured man;
In that sweet peril that prowls and lies
Is a bloodless conflict when eyes meet eyes.
That careless menace, forever sweet
Whose forlorn end, is joy's defeat;
Now and forever till time has passed
On passion's altar, hearts shall come last
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Talwar Avatar
April 10, 2017 at 6:41 PM
Its a amazing work.too engrossing.such words and rhyme scheme There are lines that can be used as quotes.
Maverick Avatar
January 16, 2016 at 1:01 PM
A great play of words on the conflicting effects on humanity through attraction that are always occurring Lizzie..'
Seal Avatar
April 12, 2013 at 7:08 PM
Very good write on this subject Lizzie. Relationships can be hard to keep going without a lot of effort on both sides. The temptations are always there. You've worded this extremely well. Thanks for calling by mine. Take care, Richard
Bordner Avatar
November 4, 2012 at 2:12 PM
Oh yes Lizzie, this is it! - this is the truth that giggles at our innocence and bites our arrogance - the needs of the body are the pains of love - I love this composition - there that tease of hope too - I will FAV. file this magic - J.A.B. %
O'Leary Avatar
October 25, 2012 at 3:12 PM
Pangs painted poignantly! Wonderful feeling (though so sad) expressed... Terry
A   Avatar
July 16, 2012 at 3:48 AM
Hi LIz, stopping by to say good night~PD
Green Avatar
June 8, 2012 at 7:17 PM
One of the best poems i have ever read....love the words....love the rhyme....you are a poet queen...my dear friend....and i am but your student....thanx for all you do....you will never know the impact you jave had on us writers.........
Mac Donald Avatar
May 11, 2012 at 10:04 AM
Oh, this is masterfully penned, Elizabeth! Those do no look like nice "gifts of love's warfare........a minute of rapture, an age of despair". "on passion's altar", it doesn't fare out any better?". Best wishes! Mikki:)
Bickerstaffe Avatar
May 3, 2012 at 7:36 PM
'...a bloodless conflict when eyes meet eyes,' one of many provocative phrases you have used here. Marvelous couplet rhyming and flow. Well done, Elizabeth. Best wishes Keith
May Avatar
April 30, 2012 at 3:48 PM
I enjoyed this great write Elizabeth...always...Joseph
Dietrich Avatar
April 22, 2012 at 10:18 PM
HI, Lizzy, I really like this one. Can't remember if I had seen it before. It seems a bit familiar to me. You have a great way with your words. All is fair in love and war!!
Peranteau Avatar
April 15, 2012 at 6:51 AM
Such a profound write dear poet, and ever so true your words.." A minute of rapture, an age of despair" ! I enjoyed this write very much ! Have a wonderful day dear Elizabeth ! Much love, james
Moriarty Avatar
April 14, 2012 at 6:30 AM
I love that last paragragh - what an expression, and feeling! A wonderful way of writing it, you're so talented Lizzy.
Collins Avatar
April 11, 2012 at 8:19 AM
Wow Elizabeth this powerfully drives passion-gone-wrong straight to the soul. Thanks for your kind comment about Mustard Seed. love, Kathy
B Avatar
April 6, 2012 at 3:36 PM
Not much left to say that has not been said below Mrs. Elizabeth. Excellent form, your poetry always flows without missing a beat, something I certainly struggle with. Your imagery here is vibrant, and fuels the very thing it laments. Passion indeed can blind, but were it not for some passions; the greatest of deeds may have been forsaken. Though the kind discussed tends to be the most dangerous and least prosperous I should think. Great poetry, thanks for sharing! :)
Devnath  Avatar
April 6, 2012 at 10:15 AM
Feeling of "UNIVERSAL TRUTH" of Life and happenings with Life adorned with fine thought along with fine pen. Sorry, I was missing all of you, because of my life. Thanks for all the previous comments on my write. Pl. don't mind. Always with you, bl
Minardi Avatar
April 3, 2012 at 8:57 AM
A clever writing, Elizabeth. I sipped every verse :)
Ball Avatar
April 1, 2012 at 2:18 PM
Boy ain't that the ever lovin' truth. It's always best to wait until you're sure before you take the leap. It seems people always value the most that which is hardest to get. If it comes easily, they don't pay it that much mind. Great job here my friend. God Bless and Happy Easter, JB
. Avatar
March 29, 2012 at 8:15 PM
wow! yes, so true Lizzie, most of the time we do find we're battling to conquer love when it will always end up in the opposite. as always, your words are magnifique!
Carrillo Avatar
March 27, 2012 at 9:47 PM
Very good, I love your last stanza. Thanks for sharing. I also thank you for reading - Color Me. Many blessings. Lucilla
Kriticos Avatar
March 26, 2012 at 9:02 PM
Good write here !
Johnson Avatar
March 25, 2012 at 2:12 PM
We try to be good as we behave our worst. It's not a wonder humanity seems cursed. But like that dog hanging on to it's bone. We all need a taste to call our own. So pray for me for I pray for you. It's really all that we can do. Hi Elizabeth, This is an exquisite write of the human condition. A third person write of their own inquisition. A mirror of earthly storms inside, a heart that waits for love to abide.
Mister Roboto Avatar
March 25, 2012 at 1:09 AM
I diGG the human clay line as well as most of this piece. Very Maynard James Keenan-esque. and I am a FOOL for TooL and Perfect Circle and PuscIfer!~:)
Austin Avatar
March 24, 2012 at 12:27 PM
To my mind and taste, one of your best, Liz. Loss of love can linger as nothing else. "A minute of rapture, an age of despair." So true. And so many great lines. Love, daver
Maverick Avatar
March 24, 2012 at 2:08 AM
mistake in first soup mail..! sent another..)
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