True Love Waits

His lonely desert offered no oasis
Until he glimpsed a stream within her eyes
This palm tree of potential love he chases
But kisses set aflame his longed-for prize

The stream he’d found brought him no lasting bliss
It was but a mirage of tears returned
His thirst for true love unquenched by her kiss;
Though seeds of love were sown, their palm tree burned

Though sorrowful, he blames himself alone 
For loving her to quench his parched desire
Retreating to the desert on his own
Avoiding love averts another fire

He feels she loved his kiss more than his heart
In ashes, he awaits a brand new start

                       ........

In younger days he’d found no spring nor well
His love-quenched thirst distorted all he knew
Until this songbird settled for a spell
They sang each other strains of “I love you”

The scar of First Love’s fire slowly heals
Their passion’s ashes long misunderstood
In time though, it is gratitude he feels
Towards the one who brought his life such joy

Though blinded by her passionate affection
His blindness he could scarcely blame on her
He learns to break down walls of his protection
With softened heart finds healing can occur

His songbird thus returns; songs fill the air,
Those ashes fertilized the tree they share
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

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

Dietrich Avatar
March 8, 2020 at 1:37 PM
hmmm, because they go together, I am not sure you could use just one as the "main piece" (I aim to find your BEST sonnets for you to submit!) however, as I study them, I think it's the first one that would do the best on its own. I love your use of metaphor so much, John, and you always do so well with sonnet meter.
Watt Avatar
August 12, 2020 at 8:59 AM
Thank you for your kind and careful review of my sonnets, Andrea.
Nau Avatar
July 28, 2019 at 1:04 PM
True love waits, and waits, and waits... Often too long or not at all. It is not a given that we all find it or get to keep it once we do. It’s a nebulous state of being. I like the first Sonnet in describing the pain and the torture of the wait. Good job.
Watt Avatar
July 28, 2019 at 6:55 PM
Edlynn, thank you for the read and the kind words. I'm glad you could resonate with it. I wrote these sonnets 35 years apart, with a little bit of perspective added the 2nd time around. You're right; love is a fragile thing and shouldn't ever be taken for granted. Hugs, John
White Avatar
October 25, 2016 at 3:53 AM
I so love all the hints at springs, wells, oases, fertility and so on. Good luck in the contest
Lamoureux Avatar
October 16, 2016 at 7:16 AM
This should do well.
Muzzey Avatar
October 3, 2016 at 2:21 PM
What a lovely write, John. This is a winner to me. Best of luck in the contest, I enjoyed the read~ Caryl
Watt Avatar
October 3, 2016 at 6:30 PM
Thank you for your kind words, Caryl. Good luck to you as well!
Johnson Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 4:50 PM
Lovely writing . Good luck in the contest. Thank you for your comments. Love, Joyce
Watt Avatar
October 3, 2016 at 6:30 PM
Thank you Joyce, always appreciate your kind comments ~ John
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