I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

2 February 2013

Dead


Oh, I am ice inside, remembering
our love's now merely sad remembering.

My times with you are ghosts. They waver, fade,
although I crave the hard remembering.

I can't retain the past, though I have tried.
Yet what is left beside remembering?

Our warm and melting love now frozen solid,
it's time to put aside remembering.

Everything we said and all we did
is nothing now, mere dead remembering.

It's time. I must accept that you have died —
ah, must I? — nor abide remembering.

That cold word, dead, is loud inside my head.
Remembrance drives me mad ... remembering ...


Note: It is traditional in a ghazal to use one's own name, pseudonym, or some derivation of the name in the last line. So I'm there, slightly disguised unless you know your Shakespeare.



Submitted for dVerse FormForAll: Ghazal sonnet
and Poets United's Verse First — Icy

Also submitted in May 2019 for dVerse's Poetry form: Ghazal

24 comments:

  1. Hi Rosemary,

    I really enjoyed reading ths ghazal, which speaks eloquently of the sense of loss that remains after a loved-one has died.

    I put a link in the comments section of Sam's article, but you might think about linking it up on Tuesday/Wednesday (8:00pm GMT Tuesday)for Open Link Night at dVerse too.

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    1. Many thanks! Between the time difference and my sometimes dodgy internet access, I dont always make the deadline, but did think I would this time. Good suggestion about Open Link Night.

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  2. Ahhh, the fading ....
    How painful
    How often we must face this
    in everything - everything
    The mind is not kind
    well, except for short spells
    May spells of happiness spasm often amidst the deep sense of loss.
    Fantastic sharing, thanx.

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    1. Thank you for your understanding, your eloquence and your kind wishes!

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  3. Rosemary, you have written it as it IS. The icy quality of memories after a death is palpable here. It is sad to have lost that warmth / love in one's life & to have the relationship frozen in time. A fine ghazal-sonnet indeed. Great accomplishment of linking Kim's 'Verse-First' prompt to the dVerse prompt!

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    1. Thank you, Mary. I know I am not alone in this experience. I'm glad you think I conveyed it authentically. This form seems to demand something a great deal less understated than my usual tone, so it has taken me a while to get used to my own poem!

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  4. Nicely done on the form. Poignantly told Rosemary.

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  5. poignant and sad while lovely because of your love for each other.

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  6. What a beautiful ghazal sonnet ~ I like the refrain remembering specially this couplet ~

    My times with you are ghosts. They waver, fade,
    although I crave the hard remembering.

    Yes, do share on Tuesday for OLN ~ See you ~

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  7. "Remembering" is a word so full of longing and melancholy, a refrain underscoring the beautiful sadness in this poem. Truly moving, Rosemary, that the form becomes secondary.

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    1. Thank you, Sam! I guess, in any poem, I would wish that for the reader the form should become secondary - so I am very complimented that you think so re this one.

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  8. Oh Rosemary, there is nothing as hard as grief and loss. Nothing! I love the tone and rhythm of this form - you executed it brilliantly.

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  9. The Gazal sonnet I find superb. I am kicking myself that I didn't find your site until now. Most remarkable.

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  10. Oh, this: "It's time. I must accept that you have died —/ah, must I? — nor abide remembering."
    Powerful and deeply emotive!

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  11. Yes you capture the years wrapped up in memories slightly fraying at the edges. I know them well. Beautifully written.

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  12. Rosemary, I "get" this poem and feel it so deep. The letting go is a non-linear process that proceeds at its own pace. One day I hope that it will be nothing more than a dead remembering -- or do I? I'm not at a place to know...

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    1. When all's said and done, I would not wish to be without the memories.

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  13. Rosemary, the sense of loss is so palpable. Excellent ghazal!

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  14. This is such a sad and heartfelt ghazal... love how you went through all those aspects of remembering... both the pain and the sweetness.

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  15. This has a poignant theme and very clever with the herb of remembering, Rosemary! Shakespeare helped!

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