Wednesday 12 October 2016

POETS UNITED - WEALTH

“There are people who have money and there are people who are rich.” Coco Chanel

The subject of Wealth is today’s topic at Poets United. The challenge is to write a poem about wealth, whatever wealth means to us. Here is mine:

As Time Passes

As time passes, I remember how:
We used to share a single bed
And laugh as we squeezed so close together
That our breaths would synchronise
And our hearts would beat in syntony,
As each heartbeat would fall into the other.

As time passes, I remember how:
Our hands would clasp each other
And through the sense of touch our souls
Would mingle through the skin;
And our chemistries would share reactions
In the test tubes of our sweaty palms.

As time passes, I remember how:
We would share a simple meal
And the food was made delicious
As we poured happiness on it –
Better than the richest sauce,
Our joy a condiment better than the rarest spice.

As time passes, I remember how:
Our lips would thirst for kisses ceaselessly
And our mingling breaths would communicate
Our innermost desires, our thoughts, our hopes…
Our eyes, though closed, would clearly
See into the depths of each other’s soul and share our boundless wealth.

Now, we share the broad expanse of a large gilt bed
And touching is rarely anything but accidental.

Now, our hands may hold each other every once in a while,
But our dry palms are places too arid for the excursions of our souls.

Now, every meal a rich repast: Caviar, truffles, champagne…
But we may as well be eating cardboard.

Now, our lips are locked closed, imprisoning our souls,
And our eyes wide open, barely acknowledging each other’s presence
When circumstances would have us pretend to kiss…

15 comments:

  1. Now, our lips are locked closed, imprisoning our souls,
    .... nicely done!! Like the contrasts.

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  2. Well....this is a reality check. I should imagine a lot of people live like this where all the love has fizzled out and some I know actually loathe each other..No matter how much I adored a person I could never share a single bed especially in a hot climate. I am told I travel (thrash about a lot) when I sleep.Even in sleep I am not a quiet person:)I enjoyed this life in the real world poem Nicholas.

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  3. Wealth certainly comes from inside...we can never fill the hole left by a loved one - sadly

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  4. Indeed wealth must have it's share of life: joy, sharing, and satisfaction. Otherwise it is a dead accumulation of saddess en masse

    Much love...

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  5. Exquisite poem! The images are stunning and the contrast between the emotional wealth and little money of youth and the emotional poverty and financial success of middle age are so well evinced. My fave line was: "And our chemistries would share reactions In the test tubes of our sweaty palms."....

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  6. Wow! Then and now contrast, and so I grieve!
    "And the food was made delicious
    As we poured happiness on it –
    Better than the richest sauce,
    Our joy a condiment better than the rarest spice."
    Thank you.

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  7. My goodness! To imagine two people being so deeply in love once and then to 'hare the broad expanse of a large gilt bed' is so painful! Our relationships with loved ones is truly wealth all on its own. Beautifully put.


    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  8. Whata wonderful poem this is of true love and its loss through the love of possesions. However a single bed can be quite a trial to endure the whole night through!

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  9. Just wonderful writing. I fear this is the story of some relationships. I really hope that this is not the norm though. If so it would be very sad. You really shared a slice of reality though...undeniably. Your poem made me gulp really in its honest presentation. Thank you for not mincing words.

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  10. This is the voice of authenticity. I imagine after many years, this may happen. But having lived so much of my life alone, I see comfort and blessings in such long companionship. A strong write.

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  11. "But our dry palms are places too arid for the excursions of our souls" Beautifully expressed but so sad that the wealth we once experience in love slips over time through our fingers. A well written poem

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  12. Interesting take i=on the prompt, and rings so true.

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  13. Excellent write. I love, "Now, our hands may hold each other every once in a while,
    But our dry palms are places too arid for the excursions of our souls." Well said and too true.

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  14. Hi Nicholas,
    I'm so glad you keep on blogging! You have great content, always.
    Sometimes I ask myself "why keep on blogging?", You help me keep going.
    Thank you for that!
    Yes, it is like being on the soapbox... hehe
    I just realized that my bloglist disappeared...
    I'll have to do it again.
    Keep blogging, please! :)

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