My arm which tightly held you close was gone,
an amputation surgical as steel.
The end was cold, no one was left to feel
unbalanced, passionless, undone, withdrawn.
The arm was useless, bone and sinew sawn
with blades of grief. Mortality can steal
the breath of one, ignore my heart's appeal
without a sound, as thoughtless, life goes on.
The curse of time, which passing slowly cures
the ones who most would like to see it end,
still works its wonders. If a man endures
through empty days, he garners more to spend.
His vacant gaze must fill as he matures,
and like his grieving heart, his arm will mend.
Author notes
Italian sonnet
In a list
Thank you for reading!
Comments
1 - 15 of 15
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I like this one. Was browsing the contest entries and this one stood out for some reason. Enjambed sonnets intrigue me because they tend to have more interesting rhythms and better articulation. I love the first two lines brought to a close at the end of the seset. Pretty potent if you ask me. Good luck in the contest!
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THis is a wonderfully written sonnet with a powerful volta. The metaphor of a missing limb is profound and is brought full circle by the closing line. Thank you for your entry. Peace, Liz
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Outstanding
This is a brilliant poem full of sadness that ends on a more positive note. I thought the flow was excellent and that you did very well with the rhyme scheme which is more complicated with Italian sonnets. I liked the twist in the volta which made me realise the first half was a metaphor for loss. Best of luck in the contest.
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Tuning in
I felt this poem as I have felt
them all. Its truth recognizes
others who repeatedly had dwelt
with pain. No other enterprises
erase or hope to heal. I dealt
with repetition's compromise
of healing. It should have spelt
end, but remains in silent eyes.
Poems of loss and pain can reach us as few things can. So many kinds of loss: for instance, outlive everybody. Accumulated pain becomes the sad background colour of life.
There is beauty also in sorrow.
Thank you.
Terry
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Thank you for your insightful comment, Terry. It reminded me of my father, who seemed to lose interest in everything else when his elder siblings died. They were old, he was old, and he did not look for new friends and interests. We do not need to go that way. The value of life is growth and change, looking for better and better outcomes. Many blessings to you and yours, dear!
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Very beautiful sonnet.
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Thank you, I'm happy you like this sonnet.
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Loss, whether through death or circumstance is often... usually... so hard to cope with. Your poem is the feelings felt, and often long lasting.
I understand this poem all too well. You've captured those feelings, the depth of their meaning with tenderness and compassion, both for yourself and for the one lost.
A very meaningful poem and superbly written
Dee
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Thank you Dee, I appreciate your insight into this subject. No one can say how long mourning should be, but I feel that it should not be perpetual. People become trapped in emotions; I got help to get out.
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I can relate to this and I know many others can as well. You have captured the depth of loss, and stages of grief here. I have always seen such a profound loss as an amputation; that analogy is sharply accurate. And even though the stump heals, it always exists as the remains of what was.
You have described it with deep, striking elegance in this well written sonnet.
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Thank you Mary - your poems are memorable, thank you for being here. It means a lot that you find this similar to your experience.
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Hi, as usual a wonderful sonnet from you, I wonder if we really ever stop grieving for the ones we have lost?
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Thank you so much, Di. In answer, I suppose it depends who is grieving, and whom. I know that my grief has resolved somewhat. Best wishes to you!
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Time and acceptance
Loss and what it brings... what is left and what is learned... time, endured, brings healing and the return of hope for other days.
Well said, my friend.
shine ever brightly,
Rahad
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Thank you Rahad. Loss is terrible, and it happens to everyone. We have opportunities to grow in all things, and this is the greatest challenge.
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