Heartaches
like a toothache
in the middle of my sternum,
burning like sterno
freshly lit.
Joy reduced to ash,
ashes pulverized by
the continued beating
of the heart.
Between aches
comes a roaring in my ears
pounding like holy rollers
in my temples.
Great loss
recently excised
that managed to
stay around long enough,
to grip my heartstrings
and pull them,
like spastic elastic
far beyond their ability
to stretch.
The exact reverse
of what it feels like
when you're first in love.
That rush of adrenaline,
the lump in your chest,
the I can't catch my breath,
ohhhh,there she is
pittapatterpittapaterpittapaterpit.
But this is a caustic crush
a-drain-a-line
in reverse
through a meat grinder
of pain.
Memories churning,
grief returning,
Oh to just cut
this aching heart out,
and throw it as far
as the most distant star,
tumbling in scarlet
and yellow flame,
through the universe.
But then the soul will step through
that hole left by its expulsion
bringing with it
eternal sorrow.
Heartaches take time,
rest, and rejuvenate
focus on something beautiful,
that is still around.
empty the mind
of all the burrs that
stir the heart into
agony....and just breathe.
Relief came somewhat when
I held the hand of my small child.
He knows so little of heartache.
I looked for a second or two
into his eyes, the depth of those pools
know mostly peace and joy for now.
it swept me with a flood
of tears as he just said " I Love you!."
How sad that this magic
children know so young,it wears away
as their eyes see the reality
of the world at large.
As their hearts are burdened
with words that wound
and adult games that hurt
and love that is not
uncompromising.
Heartaches begin then
and the youthful elation
fades.
Author notes
Written February 14th, 2005
In a list
- tragedy poems • next in list
- *Poems to ponder, and through your mind wander, if an hour you'll squander!* • next in list
A contest entry
- Show, Don't Tell! by loveisthemoment.
330 points, ended April 11, 2007, 17 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
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I absolutely loved it. thank you so much for entering,and good luck!
Love always,
~GC -
very nice. I liked the choppy form it added effect, however you added non choppiness in there to so it kind of threw it off. it was very nice though I liked the language usage! good wright and thanks for the entry.
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this is awesome..!!!
"Great loss
recently excised
that managed to
stay around long enough,
to grip my heartstrings
and pull them,
like spastic elastic
far beyond their ability
to stretch.
The exact reverse
of what it feels like
when you're first in love."
I love this part...
I was inlove once. Bieng in love feels good and at the same time we all know it is confusing. what you said there is true. when you're inlove it feels like your heart is being stretched by love.. ~if that's what you meant of course~
anyways, great write!! keep up the good work!!!
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two poems here in honor of two that are no more.........and then some.......go figure....lol...artis...typo blood...typochondriac....etc.
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don't touch it!
(((hugs))) -
neutral
OMG... your similes are perfect at illistrating the feeling of heartache, and I have also looked into my sons' eyes and seen that innocense that does not yet understand that suffocating sadness. It makes me cry also, to think that someday they may feel this hollow haunting pain. -
thanks W may you never feel the pull of spastic elastic except in your nether regions for good reason and with your approval...LOL.....Artis
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neutral
oh, artis... this is so sad... heartbreaking in fact. There is a pouring of emotion in this, very uncontrolled it feels.
'like spastic elastic' i love that line!
Great poem, enjoyed it :-)
~W -
don't touch it!
you write of emotions well
you speak of such human expiriences
that we all can relate to in some part
of our lives...
always enjoy what i learn, remember and read
with you -
don't touch it!
Sad, heart-touching poem! A wise poet wrote a poem called 'Escape to pleasure and smile', a poem that helped me to feel better more than once since I printed it. I copied the end of the poem. Here it is:
'we have all at one time or another
been in the land of uninspired
on an incline
overwhelmed
where gravity strains the shoulders
and despair is the only pairing you know
escape from there to a place
that knows not these burdens
and s m i l e ! !'
Hope you remember the great advice you gave in that poem, Artis. If you don't, I recommend that you read it again. :-)
((Hugs))
Maureen -
don't touch it!
Wow, this is so powerful and moving!!! Sad, but beautifully written:)
Best wishes,
Karen -
excellent
beautifully sad write...
i remember about 10 years ago, i was going through a rough time with my boyfriend (now ex-hubbby) - i was playing with my 2 year old nephew, i was very depressed, he just came to me, hugged me and told me he loved me! just like that! i think children sense a lot more than we give them credit for... -
don't touch it!
A beautiful write hun. ***huggles ya and holds ya tight*** heartbreak is one of those things that manages to keep us on the edge of insanity and in risk of closing our hearts forever. But it's the little things like the innocence of a child that keeps that heart open to expand and love again, like a vicious cycle throughout time. :( my hopes is that your heart shall heal and that a love everlasting and true shall find you and whisk you away, enchanting you for an eternity within it's embrace. Blessed be :O)
Edited by odeon8 on right now. -
don't touch it!
yup know the feeling well
huge hugs,
xxx
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