Dawn filled the space of where
you had just been sleeping
talons of sunlight gripping my heart
and our lantern child’s sweet orange smile,
carved from Hallowed October night
our two-toothed ghost of orange love
formed by gentle hands
grins through the window
and remembers your touch,
while learning the lesson
that it’s harder to be
the one left behind
than the one who does the leaving
Alone with the ocean and tree-boned beach
Eagle claims her driftwood beam
gazing across sparkling waters
she waits for spring and her mate’s return
while my heart beats behind her
~
written for Thursday Poets Rally Week 55: http://promisingpoetsparkinglot.blogspot.com/2011/11/agreement-for-thursday-poets-rally-week.html
and Poetry Pantry of Poets United
Oh, this hurt my heart in such a wonderfully painful way. I hope that makes sense.
Sweet sorrow, Shakespeare called it. Yes, I understand, and once again, thanks for your lovely comments.
It is harder to be the one left behind. Beautiful poem.
Thanks Ina. It’s seeing that empty space which is the hard part. I felt I had to write this if only just to honor the love that created the space – once I did that, I felt much better and was able to get on with my own stuff again. Now I’m enjoying having all the pillows to myself!
Your poem’s heart beats with sadness and I admire the beautiful lyrical quality of it.
To me, poetry is music and words are the notes. So I guess this poem is set in A minor. Thank you for your kind comments.
This is really good stuff. I love the imagery. Nice job.
William
Thanks, William. I see you love horses. Check out my poem, “The First Time We Met” Something tells me you’ll enjoy that one too.
A beautifully sad write. Very nicely done.
http://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/mom-was-always-there-2/
Love the duck, and the marbles! Thanks for your comments too. Glad you enjoyed it.
Sweet sorrow is the perfect phrase. I can relate to this; although I’ll say that sometimes it’s just as hard being the one who leaves. The photo compliments the poem perfectly.
Yes, that’s true – when I left to come here, I suddenly had to face the reality of my decision and there were definitely moments when I questioned my sanity, let alone whether I could stick with it. It can be a bit lonely being the new kid on the block.
I agree with the sweet sorrow, a beautifully written piece
In some instances yes, it’s harder to be the one left behind to wait but then, isn’t the one who has left also waiting somewhere too in a sense?
Lovely imagery and beautiful Eagle pic.
The description of the pumpkin face was wonderful
Thanks – he carved the pumpkin and it’s still sitting on the porch, grinning at me, reminding me of how sweet he is. The eagle was on the beach moments after I dropped him off. The whole time he was here, he hoped to see an eagle and there eagle was – but my sweetheart just missed him. That’s okay – he has more than one reason to come back now.
love to see the bond between a parent and a child, well penned.
The bond was actually between sweethearts, but I can see how the Halloween pumpkin leads you to the other conclusion. That puts the poem in a whole different light – how interesting… Thanks for the different point of view!
That is lovely and painful and sad, wonderful.
I’m so happy my sad and pain make you feel so good.
Thanks for your lovely comments!
Lovely metaphors utilized for the “clawing at your heart” pain. Gripping.
http://kaysalady.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/the-darkness/
waiting for spring and her mate’as return, it could be hard.
your words ring through the page smoothly, hard to stop and think each line and how it refers, but love the whole imagery.
elegant poetry on life’s flip side, it is a thrill to read you.
Great job! “that it’s harder to be… the one left behind… than the one who does the leaving” so very true!! I really enjoyed your poem. Blessings, Terri
This captures the emotion of the poem: its sun talons gripping my heart.
I particularly like the metaphors you’re using.
the waiting always hurts…this was extremely wonderfully written.
Beautiful write, the sense of longing so palpable yet a patience in the words. ~ Rose
This was truly a masterpiece I really did enjoy it, and the message of the discourse of abandonment, waiting and longing.
nice, imagery,
i enjoyed ur poem
my entry
http://bupinder21.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/life-compromise/
This is a beautiful poem that transcends the time of year.
“while learning the lesson
that it’s harder to be
the one left behind
than the one who does the leaving”…stellar lines.
Poignant and mournful – thank you for sharing.
Love this one, it looks like a reality-soap. Very well done
Those talons do have a way of reaching out…*smiles.* Cool write.
How painful it is to be left behind…. Sigh I so know the feeling
sad yet beautiful words here 
sad, well done.
Lovely piece well executed. Good imagery… *smile* So many have already used up all the good adjectives, but well done!