how lonely, how long

[windowflower]

how many times was I to rap at your door
my insistent knuckles bruised from asking,
when I wanted only your answer to greet me,
hungered only for your acquiescence

so often I was faced with stark realities,
my soft pleas swallowed by impossibilities,
time and again forced to concede to rational truths
when it was just me and all the concessions

never once was this my intended choice
to wander from your threshold unmet,
turning my cheek into bite of bitter unknown
without your love clasped to my breast

and then, in too many moments, you manifested
acting as if I still kept some promise in my pocket,
thinking your words would draw me full-circle,
that I hadn’t dug myself from beneath your quire

tell me this in the late hour:


how lonely was I to be

how long was I to linger

[Nakedpoet]

My first read of your work, the poem fits the title, thanks for sharing, your pen suits the open mic boards. Sad but well crafted.

[everhopeful]

It's been a while, far too long, since you've graced us with your eloquent poetry, and I don't think you've missed a beat in your absence. Your poetic voice was always so strong, so distinguishable, and even in utter despair you have a flair for phrasing and sense of sound inherent to your work. There's a subtle sprinkling of internal slant rhymes and alliteration too, something I have always been fond of.
This one starts sad enough but builds on that, line on line and stanza on stanza - I'd be hard pushed to pick out exceptional lines among such a fine poem, but I thought that stanzas three and four were so deeply emotive they were hard to escape from. The ending was only the icing on the cake, the simple questions resonate after all that came before them.
Beautiful poetry 'flower, truly.

[ramfire]

Never fun to be kept "on hold". Persistence sometime pays off and I hope it does for you.
ramfire

[created2write]

Hello poetess, it has been too long since last I read your words- as always my appreciation soars with that way you have with words. This speaks of a heart willing to give but as is often the case is taken for granted, not enough reciprocity and as is also the case the giver comes awake realizing "I deserve more" and it happens long before the real acknowledgement so by the time the other party realizes it "fed up" has moved in preparing us to move on. This was so real...much love sista girl. peace

[domvanday]

Awesome. I was going to shower this with further gifts of compliments, but that one says it all. A true delight and pleasure to read.

[tangerinepie]

This delightful poem reminded me of how we fall into traps that hold us hostage..yet all for naught.Exquisite phrasing made this tearful lament outstanding.Everyone can relate to these kinds of situations.A wonderful spotlight choice..Tangie..

[everhopeful]

uh-huh, it's like you didn't miss a beat - and poetry like this proves that even when you are absent from poetry, poetry will never be absent from you.
Congratulations on the spotlight.

[allmirth]

This reminds us what we have missed in your too long absence. So mirthful to find you on the boards and in your rightful Spotlighted place. Exquisite poetry constructed with grace. Moving and sublime.

Thanks so much for sharing.
Mirthy