Half full — your attitude resonates, ringing reverberant in my melancholy. Half empty has always been my perspective. Finding safety in my hollow, reluctant solitude. Seeing the world refracted through my somber pessimism. An abandoned dream can no longer disappoint. A shattered heart can no longer break. There is nothing to lose, for one who is without. Pain avoided by deflection.
But were your love to flood my isolation, to drown me in passion, I might gladly risk it all once more. Swimming up naively to the light, to the warmth — breaching the surface, buoyant with bliss, drenched with desire. To reach above water, in the throes of ecstasy, to encircle your gentle face in a lover’s trembling hands. To breath out of water again, drawing love’s rejuvenating breath.
But no! In the tender gray, I swim undisturbed, below the surface — in secluded, sorrowful safety.
rob kistner © 2022
Poetry at: dVerse
Rob, what a fervent plea, to be able to breathe above water again in the happy joy of reciprocated love. You make a believer out of me. I see him as a merman who longs to live on land again. May his dreams come true. ::::praying::::
Dreams of a merman Lisa — difficult to realize… but thank you my friend… 🙂
Very well done, Rob! I like your use of the prompt line.
Thank you Dwight… 🙂
Life is full of if onlys. Chugging along in the grey and painless is sometimes the best we can hope for.
The more age and health slow me down, chugging has begun feeling like flying Jane… 😐
Trying again. My comment wouldn’t post.
This is such a sad tale. I feel for him, and I hope he finds peace, Rob. I like the way you included the prompt line.
It posted Merril, and thank you for persisting, I appreciate your words my friend… 🙂
Wow! Heavy. Heavy with a hint of hope. Well done! You made the line fit perfectly within your prose.
Thank you so much D… 🙂
A gorgeous write, Rob! It resonates, actually as I tend to be a “half empty glass” kinda gal. I like the way the voice contemplates the risk of love, entertains it fully but circles back to that safety of tender gray. Excellent use of the line with the imagery.
Mish, I really appreciate your gracious words… 🙂
They say that the happiest person in the world is a pessimist because he can always be positively surprised.
I try to be positive Björn, but sometimes its difficult when life keeps raining on my parade… 😐
A sad story but very well written 🙂
Thsnk you Angela…