Lin Lane Poet Romanticism

Notes About The Poem

When I No Longer Love You

When dawn's blush of light eclipses the moon
And afternoons find meadows sprinkled with dew
When I view willows smiling instead of weeping
And the keeping of promises is no longer a prize
When artist's eyes see only hues of sepia and gray
And the Milky Way abandons its billions of stars

That is when I will say, "I no longer love you"
And my heart will perish in saddest adieu
                            ***

When my pen is lost, and my ink well runs dry
And the sky fills with clouds of yellow daffodils
When chills from the sun freezes over the seas
And bees create pollen and flowers make honey
When agony and love have been clearly defined
And my mind does not hold you in each thought

That is when my heart will no longer love you
And life will have no meaning in a world askew
                           ***

When songbirds stop singing in harmonic trills
And heathered hills have lost their sweet scent
When fermented grapes become a bitter wine
And the shine in my eyes dulls when I see you
When a view of sunset does not leave me awed
And God turns his face from a repentant sinner

That is when I will say I don't love you any more
And oceans waves of blue will no longer rush ashore
                          ***


2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 25 Contest
Sponsored by Mark Toney

July 25, 2017  ~ Romantic Contest Write
Sponsored by John Hamilton

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Andrea Dietrich August 18, 2026 at 5:01 PM Congrats on a well deserved trophy win. 👏

Duke Beaufort August 13, 2026 at 8:33 AM Hi Lin, this thought provoking poem makes me think that you have a very powerful sense of dedication when it comes to an emotion like love. How lucky the person who is the attention of this love really is! Of course, this is for a contest and may not be in your heart, but the writing of such contrasts from normal reality should inspire us all who have the capability to love. Sending a big smile!! Lin Lane August 13, 2026 at 9:35 AM I was completely dedicated to this love at one time. Lost him, or I should say he lost me when he proved not to be the man I married. It was written for a contest, and he no longer holds a place in my heart, but all is as it should be. Thank you for your tender concern. I'm honored that you appreciated the contrasts I tried fervently to portray.

Sam Kauffman February 3, 2023 at 1:07 PM What a lovely love song, Lin. Your poems always burst with the images of beauty in nature that so eloquently express your poem. Congratulations on your win! Blessings of beauty to you! Lin Lane February 4, 2023 at 8:00 AM Thank you for your gracious comments, Sam. I always appreciate your thoughts.

Regina Mcintosh January 29, 2023 at 1:33 AM This is simply beautiful and awe inspiring. I love it so. Congrats on the huge win. God bless you friend. Love, Gina Lin Lane January 29, 2023 at 9:07 AM Thank you very much for appreciating my poetry, Gina.

Susan Ashley January 28, 2023 at 5:59 PM Dear Lin, your magnificent, mighty pen spills emotive metaphors and romantic imagery upon the grateful poetic page with breathtaking, passionate abandon. I'm awestruck by phrases like "When I view willows smiling instead of weeping" and "And the sky fills with clouds of yellow daffodils" and "And God turns his face from a repentant sinner". I swoon under the influence of your exquisite artistry, my friend. Congratulations for your excellent trophy win in marathon mile 25! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan Lin Lane January 29, 2023 at 9:06 AM Dear Susan, you are such a gracious lady, exceptional poet, and write some of the most beautifully phrased comments of anyone on this site. You go into such depth that allows the author to feel that he/she has accomplished something very worthy of being recognized. You are a jewel among poets here, and since I'm not overly fond of diamonds, I'll compare you to a sapphire, bright, sparkling and with great intensity of color. Thank you for your continual kind words on my poetry.

John Watt January 28, 2023 at 2:49 PM Exquisite crafting, Lin. Love the use of irony and contrast, with so many brilliant images of events that could never happen to underscore the permanence of committed love. Too many to mention here, but I particularly enjoyed "willows smiling instead of weeping" and "bees create pollen and flowers make honey", building to the climactic statement of awe for creation and God's forgiveness of repentant sinners. Love how each line ending is echoed with a rhyme early in the next line. A fave, to be returned to and enjoyed over and over. Well worthy of your trophy win, heartfelt congrats! John Lin Lane January 28, 2023 at 2:52 PM I always know that your comments will humble me, John. Coming from you, each one has great value to me for I know you never state things you don't sincerely feel. Originally written for John Hamilton, this instantly became one of my favorite creations, and I'm delighted that you honor it with your kind thoughts. Thank you so very much.

Mark Toney January 28, 2023 at 2:36 PM Lin, I applaud your brilliant use of vivid hyperbole in this outstanding poem! This is the first Romanticism poem that has placed in the Poetry Marathon. A Fav Poem for me. Congratulations on your first-place TROPHY finish on Mile 25 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon. There is only one more Poetry Marathon mile to run before the Qualifier's Final Placement Contest! More information about the Qualifier's Final Placement Contest will be given at the Mile 26 checkpoint. Lin Lane January 28, 2023 at 2:49 PM Mark, thank you for finding this one to your liking well enough to fave it. I appreciate the trophy placement for my romantic lines.

Kudzai Mhangwa August 18, 2017 at 7:58 AM This is one of the most beautiful, vivid and rich poems I have come across in the whole life! Lin, you masterfully make every single word your own! Well done! Congrats on winning the contest Lin Lane August 18, 2017 at 8:01 AM I thank you for the many kind compliments you've given this poem, Kudzai. I appreciate each one of them.

Edward Mccall August 1, 2017 at 9:23 AM What a heartwarming and wonderfully romantic poem it is absolutely beautiful Lin definitely a fav and congratulations on first place well deserved. Lin Lane August 1, 2017 at 9:25 AM How very kind are your thoughts, Edward. Most appreciated, as well. Thank you, dear sir.

Richard Lamoureux August 1, 2017 at 8:57 AM I'm glad I followed the trophy! Exceptional writing Lin. Lin Lane August 1, 2017 at 9:01 AM And I'm delighted to see you, Rick. Your lovely comments are a trophy to me. Thank you so very much.

Gregory Richard Barden July 29, 2017 at 5:15 PM Wonderfully charming and exquisite write, Lin - I so love your writing! This one made my heart glow, and I'm fav-ing it! Congrats, Dear Friend! <3 Lin Lane July 29, 2017 at 9:35 PM I'm so appreciative of your many accolades, Greg. Thank you so very much.

Teddy Kimathi July 28, 2017 at 4:36 AM What an amazing work! Congrats Lin, for your well-deserved first placement in the contest! ;-) Lin Lane July 29, 2017 at 5:47 AM Thanks ever so much for your well wishes, Teddy.

Kim Rodrigues July 27, 2017 at 3:24 PM A real beauty! Congrats on your win! Lin Lane July 27, 2017 at 6:18 PM Thanks very much, Kim.

Connie Marcum Wong July 27, 2017 at 2:40 PM This deserves the honor of First placement Lin! Big Congratulations on your wonderful win! : ) Lin Lane July 27, 2017 at 6:18 PM Thank you so much for such a sweet comment, Connie.

Jan Allison July 27, 2017 at 11:09 AM Well Lin I told you in a soup mail this would top the charts - you are incredibly gifted in both poetry and art - please let me know when you paint a pic like this:-) hugs jan xx Lin Lane July 27, 2017 at 11:34 AM Yes, you did, Jan, and I'm honored with John's choice as well as your compliments. I certainly will send you a photo when this one is painted. I've several promised ahead of it.

Dean Wood July 27, 2017 at 11:04 AM Beautifully written Lin. Congratulations on your win! - Dean Lin Lane July 27, 2017 at 11:32 AM Thank you very much, Dean. I appreciate the comments.

Afzal Nusker July 27, 2017 at 9:47 AM Like a lovely love song, beautifully written. Congrats on your first place win, Lin. Lin Lane July 27, 2017 at 9:56 AM Sweet sentiments, Afzal, and very appreciated. Thanks.

John Hamilton July 27, 2017 at 9:11 AM Wonderful write Lin, amazing use of contrasts things that cannot happen, like God turning away a repentant sinner, that sealed it for me, congrats on a very difficult contest to judge, very worthy number 1. Lin Lane July 27, 2017 at 9:55 AM The difficulty you had in judging this contest makes me appreciate the honor even more, John. Thank you so very much for seeing it worthy.

Eileen Manassian July 26, 2017 at 1:51 AM Beautiful, Lin....the most convincing part of this whole lovely piece is "when God turns his face from a repentant sinner"...that phrase really solidified the strength of the love written of here, its lasting nature, for surely God would never do that. Great analogy Lin Lane July 27, 2017 at 9:54 AM You're so right, Eileen. God's forgiveness has no bounds as long as he knows we are sincerely sorry. Thanks for reading and giving kind comments.

Ovidiu Bocsa July 25, 2017 at 3:04 PM Please love me again. I cannot live without love. Where love is not, nothing is and I remain in the desert of nobody . Lin Lane July 25, 2017 at 3:07 PM The deepest love, as in my poem, has no need to be renewed. It's never ending. Thank you for commenting.

Jan Allison July 25, 2017 at 12:10 PM Your poem brought tears to my eyes Lin - your lines are beautiful but sad and the image is wonderful - is it one of your amazing pictures? I have never attempted this form and love the structure of the repeated words.Hugs Jan xx Lin Lane July 25, 2017 at 3:05 PM Jan, you're such a soft-hearted lady. Thank you for the sweet remarks, noticing the intermittent rhyme form, and for your tears. The painting is not mine, but it's certainly my style. I think one day I'll paint something similar. Hugs.

Connie Marcum Wong July 25, 2017 at 12:03 PM An outstanding array of lovely imagery in this well written poem Lin! Beautiful! : ) Lin Lane July 25, 2017 at 3:03 PM Many thanks to you for the compliments, Connie.

Tim Smith July 25, 2017 at 11:37 AM That will be a sad day but I don't think it will happen...very beautiful Lin Lin Lane July 25, 2017 at 3:02 PM This is the kind of love I'd wish for everyone...thanks so much, Tim.