I thought maybe I should write an intro to the following poem, explaining what it’s about, but decided against it, realizing most who read it will know exactly what I am trying to convey. In any case, I hope you enjoy it.
Then Snared
Put aside your foolish dreaming
For the past will ever be gone
Neither dwell on the things of tomorrow
For with its pains this day goes on
Why must this yoke be upon me
I look to the heavens and cry
I wish… it had stayed in shadow
Where proverbial sleeping dogs lie
Had I known what was to be
My words inside would have stayed
But I was wooed by a lover… then snared
Now, by same love, I am betrayed
Desire, still hot, within me burns
This love, I cannot live without
I must tell the tales, and rhyming
From within, they scream to be out
Judge me not, turn away then… be still
Should the words say nothing to you
If beat does not beat, nor message convey
I care not, I’ve done what I must do
Copyright © 1998 C. Mashburn
Sharing this on Gooseberry Garden Poetry Picnic #16
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Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 
John Evans said
Not to worry; this is a great piece of poetry! Many of us have been down the same path, I have; though learned my savage love I once embraced turned my life to trials of grace. If not for the suffering, I would not have known it to be iniquitous. Truly, you have been blessed! Try looking at it this way. I truly comprehend your last four lines. Beautifully subtle and magnanimously written. Thank you for the read! Stay Creative!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much for the great comments, John! I hear what you’re saying, but many times the feelings described in this write are hard to shake. Stop by again!
The Noiseless Cuckooclock said
Desire, still hot, within me burns
This love, I cannot live without
I must tell the tales, and rhyming
From within, they scream to be out
strong emotions, well rhymed verse.
good luck.
🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Kitty! Your comments are very much appreciated!
Sherry Mashburn said
Wow! So evocative . . .
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, m’dear!
Becky said
You always make me read you more than once… And each time I think I hear something else screaming off the page! Wonderful write.
charlesmashburn said
I think that’s a good thing! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Heaven said
I like the reflections of a lost love…on poetry, they ebb and flow from our lips…
charlesmashburn said
Yes they do. Thanks for the visit and comment, Heaven!
terri0729 said
Wow Charlie! Is this a new one or an older poem? Doesn’t matter though, either way it’s great! 🙂 Blessings, Terri
charlesmashburn said
Wrote it in my most prolific poetry year–1998. It still applies.
Thanks for the great comment, Terri!
tinkwelborn said
yeah, this could be a gasket to fit between the poem and various takes.
I read this poem thrice, different takes; then jumped down to the responses to see if it was me…
no, it’s not.
this is a good omnifarious poem, which different slants could be rendered from.
at first, I was thinking a physical love; then, not so; but an ideal.
great job…again.
thanks for sharing.
charlesmashburn said
Yes, this can obviously take the reader in many directions. Thanks for the thought-filled response, Tink. Always enjoyable to see what you have to offer.
Morning said
deep and moving drama,
powerful focus on lost love.
Happy Poetry Picnic.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the comment, Morning!
Mr. Watson said
Great write ! 😀
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Mr. Watson!
Andy said
Hello.
With my poetic mind, I sometimes read way too much into things. I’ve read this fast, then slow & I think I’ve got it. Though the truth may hurt…honesty is always the best policy.
Evocative write & masterfully crafted, Charles.
Thanks for sharing & visiting. I always look forward to your comments.
For ref:
Your Reward Is My Sorrow
charlesmashburn said
This is one of those poems where I knew/know exactly what I was conveying with my words, yet it leaves many options for the reader to go where he wishes to go with it. You have taken one of those paths, and it rings true. Thank you for the wonderful comment, Andy!
wordcoaster said
Nice one Chuck–er, Charles 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Okay… what’s the gag with the Chuck/Charles? Most that know me call me Charlie.
Thanks for the visit, Dave-er, David. (Chuck chuckels)
LoLa said
You have a nice way with words. Thank you for the beautiful read.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the nice comment, LoLa!
Kay Salady said
Powerful write, Charles! So filled with passion. I love it!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Kay!
Raivenne said
“I must tell the tales, and rhyming
From within, they scream to be out”
Oh, how any of us who deign to place our words beyond the voices within our own minds can understand this plea!
Excellent pen, Charles.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Raivenne! Your comments are very much appreciated!
Pamanner said
“Had I known what was to be
My words inside would have stayed
But I was wooed by a lover… then snared
Now, by same love, I am betrayed”
I’m feeling it now. . .sigh. Great poem=authentic feelings
Had I known what was to be
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the wonderful comments!
meethimirchi said
No matter where we are . There is a part of us that will always looking for the lost love 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the nice comment!
danroberson said
Unfulfilled love fills the mind with unrest,
Idealizing what could have been,
Showing possibilities with zest,
But reality changes perspective as I know,
As I look at love that should not have been,
That idealized love would’ve been nothing but woe.
Charles, I love your poem and understand it too well.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Dan! Your wonderful comments are much appreciated!
Larry Meredith said
I know what much of this says to me…somewhere I caught this siren song, this love of the words and what can be done with them, the need to express them, this curse (or is it love) “I cannot live without”; this interminable infection to “tell the tales, and rhyming”. And I do what I must do.
Larry
charlesmashburn said
Right on the money, Larry! Thanks for the visit and comments!
becca givens said
If beat does not beat, nor message convey
I care not, I’ve done what I must do
This is a powerful write — with so many different takes to pursue … but bottom line – in our lives – we are ultimately responsible for our spiritual growth and direction … God has given us a path to pursue, a bit of the total picture is ours … it matters not what anyone thinks of it — they should be on their own journey to fulfill the destiny Divine has provided each of us! Thank you for sharing ~~
charlesmashburn said
I am in total agreement, Becca. We are each on our own journey, and I also believe we all have a part to play.
Thank you very much for the insightful comments!
dswan2 said
Those places we leave with regret and sadness most often seed the most eloquent poetry! Well done!
charlesmashburn said
Yes. I have found that to be true. Reality is a tremendous inspiration.
Thank you for the wonderful comments!
Kellie Elmore said
I don’t know which is worse, unrequited love or having it and then losing it. Either way, it is painful to do without when there is so much around you. I wrote one, Charles called “Unrequited” and actually it is one of my very few rhyming poems. Makes me think about the melody in pain, because I was only able to pen it in rhymr because I write as it comes, and that pain come with a rythym. Almost like it has a life it’s own (pain). Sorry to ramble, but you really got me with this one and I love when that happens 🙂 Nice work!!!
Kellie
HUGS!!!!!!!!!!
http://magicinthebackyard.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/on-a-hilltop-in-december/
charlesmashburn said
I tried to find “Unrequited” on your blog, but couldn’t find it. I’d love to read it.
No problem with the rambling; always love to get folks going!
Thanks for the wonderful visit and comments!
siggiofmaine said
Feelings, you write so well about feelings. I was thinking today how
twenty years ago…when not so young but younger than now ☺. I “flunked” recognizing “anger” in my in patient therapy.. and expressing in words that you so eloquently express. Thank you…I agree with Becky on rereading your words and getting even more meaning from them.
Thank you for sharing.
Peace,
Siggi in Downeast Maine
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Siggie! Your comments bless me, and I’m glad you enjoy the things I write!
David King said
You were wise not to write an intro’ I think. An art work should stand by itself. This one does, splendidly.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, David. I appreciate your comments, and I think you are correct that these things should stand on their own. I’m glad you see the merit in this one!
chimnese said
i loved this poem it had a beautiful tone especially the tpic at hand…ive been working thru my own anger in therapy an dits not an easy thing to recognise and be delivered from.
charlesmashburn said
It is something wonderful when you finally come to terms with it and learn to control it, Chim! Keep your eyes on the prize and keep moving forward!
Daydreamertoo said
But, isn’t this all a part of the learning, we never stop, do we? Myself, my hardest lesson seems to have always been knowing when to let go and to stop banging my head against brick walls of indifference. Life is hard for us unless we learn, isn’t it? Painful life lessons. Lovely imagery used.
charlesmashburn said
You are so right! We never stop learning, and we will never have it all figured out. As for thaat banging your head against the wall, I have definitely been there, and done that! More and more, I am learning to roll with the punches and find the good in all situations.
Thanks for the wonderful comments!
Chevrefeuille said
What a sad poem, so full of broken love tears. However … it’s a nice poem to read. Thank you for sharing.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the visit and comment!
Victoria C. Slotto said
For me this evoked a bit of “The Hound of Heaven” blended with “The Dark Night of the Soul.” Power-write, Charlie. Victoria
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the wonderful comment, Victoria!
Erick Flores said
“I’ve done what I must do,” very strong ending! Thank you for sharing!
Erick Flores
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the comment, Erick!
Bodhirose said
Passionate! Very well expressed, Charles…a tough place to be though.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the visit and nice comment!
Usha Dawn said
Amazing…I think at times we must live what we feel inside is right and our friends and others will understand as they realize it… 🙂
Keep doing the good work
Cheers!!!!
charlesmashburn said
Thanks very much, Usha!
Other Mary said
Unfortunately I do know what you’re talking about…well said, er…or written. Sorry for your pain, but you certainly are making good use of it. Kudos on the poem.
charlesmashburn said
Some of the best writing seems to come from the deepest hurt. Thanks for the visit and comments!
Susie Clevenger said
Love burns its brand upon us…another might move on, but we stay with the scars…Love your poem!
charlesmashburn said
True! Thanks for the nice comment!
jeannette said
“Desire, still hot, within me burns
This love, I cannot live without”…these lines remind me of a lost love. still haunts me until this time…thank you for sharing..
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the visit and comments, Jeannette!
neha said
This is such a beautiful poem. It made me feel sad, I can feel the emotions behind this. Thank you for visiting my blog.
charlesmashburn said
You are very welcome, Neha, and thank you for the visit and comment!
David King said
A fine poem, full of feeling.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, David! I appreciate the visit and comment!
Stephanie said
Confessional poetry is one of my favorites. Straight-foward and determined to say what must be said. Excellent write!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Stephanie!
halfwaybetweenthegutter said
My heart broke a little, what a searingly honest write; bravo. I can relate to it in so many ways.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the kind comments! Very much appreciated!
SiNA said
“…I care not, I’ve done what I must do…”
Charles! this poem is so powerful 🙂 well done!!!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Sina!
Nikhil Jain said
Nice work…
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Nikhil! I appreciate the visit and comment!
Nikhil Jain said
Its my pleasure,sir…