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These Shards of Bitterness

These shards of bitterness, they sting a shielded moon in hiding for I have nothing left to bring but for this fear abiding when it’s the fear deciding hold it tightly in my grasp this brittleness of pain’s embrace refuse to let love’s grip unclasp as with cold blood I darkly trace faint memories I can’t erase. Last touch of yesterday’s warm tongue its shivered tinge of waiting lust sad folly of a heart so young harsh coldness of a tarnished trust beneath the gray, a moonless crust. ©3/5/2022 Quintain (English) Poetry Contest Sponsor – Emile Pinet

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Christuraj Alex

Date: 3/17/2022 9:47:00 PM

"shivered tinge of waiting lust sad folly of a heart so young" - Beautifully written. Congratulations!

Meghan Hutchings

Date: 3/17/2022 11:00:00 AM

Congratulations, John! Your poem is excellent and sadly beautiful. It is relatable as far as feeling the pain of lost love, and you've painted a brilliant picture of how that feels metaphorically. Way to go! Much love...Meghan

Jeff Kyser

Date: 3/17/2022 9:38:00 AM

John, that's really terrific. I like this a lot.

Emile Pinet

Date: 3/17/2022 9:16:00 AM

Congratulations John, Your poem came in "Third" in my contest, your poem was unique and earned you a podium position. Due to the number of entries and the quality of the poems submitted, this was a very difficult contest to judge, but your poem caught my eye, well done my friend, Emile.

Bill Baker

Date: 3/10/2022 4:57:00 PM

I agree with Gershon's comments below, also exquisitely written, John. This should place well in the contest. A poet friend in Texas, Bill

Gershon Wolf

Date: 3/8/2022 4:22:00 PM

Not many poems on this site can be read just for the pleasurable thrill of the sounds the words and the lines make -- AND then afford a deep dive into layers of meaning. But this masterwork accomplishes both. FAVE-time. Thanks for posting this. ~ Gershon

L Milton Hankins

Date: 3/5/2022 4:30:00 PM

Marvelous pen, John. Ah, I think we've all experienced the "coldness of a tarnished trust." This is good writing, my friend. Best of luck in Emile's contest.