g r a v i t y
gravity
insists, faultless stone, some circled route,
parchment round-about, close fever thread,
less my own than another’s call.
attraction brutish bright with sightless mass.
I fall to you.
I don’t resist. even when I do. I don’t resist.
io non resisto. anche quando faccio. io non resisto.
your eyes your cheeks your lips, rivering,
describe my touch. in wilderness.
even when they don’t. they do.
anche quando non lo fanno. fanno.
neither time’s measure mapped,
given charter of tempest thirst
to describe to adore, to drink.
farther breath stands like a shard.
because yes dear, this bowl is real.
dare shed torrent’s consequence?
none fallen less.
no less acquaintance, a simple manner of matter,
surely meanings narrative, timeless yet not for any
single breath, counting kisses, counting
relentless eloquence, then comes laid down
upon a brow
gravity.
neil reid © august 2012
comments:
Write a poem that begins and ends with a one word line, that word being the same at both beginning and ending. Yet allow the body of the poem to create that shift in meaning for that one word. Such was the prompt for this week from WWP.
Do you like me sometimes consider writing a poem, or more, a specific prompt, and think – I don’t wanna! (Well, granted, it’s not a rule.) However I begin to wonder, “when”? So it was this week.
Then again, also thought, do it, do it now, or scribble at least. Simple surprise that, while drafty, not studied enough, a poem came by shear impact of pen. True, true, like they say – are those words really mine? At least because I found something really of interest in the way words can not only change a meaning, but literally “lure” it one way or another even as a flag might flutter in a breeze. I remain impressed with what language can do (much as it lies most of the time, one step or more away from real experience). Much to be said for simply getting “out of the way”.
Written for the We Write Poems prompt #117, What words mean….
This is utterly lovely. Reading it several times, my favourite lines are: I fall to you…your eyes your cheeks your lips, rivering, describe my touch. It’s a beautiful piece.
Amo l’italiano, una lingua romantica e piena di gravità. I have always had a problem with gravity. I never believed in it and have consistently tried to overcome its possibilities. I am waiting for a new physics. But then the gravity of love is truly a puzzle that no physics or emotion can truly describe. You have answered your own prompt admirably (even though you did not want too). I enjoyed it.
I fall to you.
I don’t resist. even when I do. I don’t resist.
io non resisto. anche quando faccio. io non resisto.
I love it that you fell into this poem, even though you didn’t want to. Gravity is a great subject for poetry.
This is beautiful. Usually when I get the urge to write, it comes like that. I tend to write in spurts – the words pour out, almost unconsciously, and I get in this frenzy of having to jot it all down before it’s gone. You can always edit after the fact, but summoning the idea and the energy when it isn’t already flowing can be a real challenge. It’s great that you gave yourself that extra push and came up with something lovely!
Shall I echo what others said–lovely? I thought the Italian was charming. Bought a guide to Naples yesterday and feel so charmed just browsing. A poem that falls like gravity, Neil. The last use of the word has traction.
As others have said, this is a lovely poem. I too get those moments of feeling like I don’t have anything to write and at times I have found, as you did this week, that I can almost write my way through it.. Not always, but sometimes…
But anyway, your poem – I like it very much indeed.
So often I think it is best to let the Muses have their way with us…just look at the result! As you say once tippity-tapping or nib of quill dipped in ink – the blood life of a poet fills up and gives life to a blank page…
And I really enjoyed the romantic leanings. I was a bit ‘strained’ this week in wanting to cryptically relate an issue and hopefully did so with some humor here:
http://julesgemsandstuff.blogspot.com/2012/08/wwp-117-strained-elfje-quintet.html
See – this is why your prompt was so great, Neil! I would never have thought of the word gravity this way (either meaning). And I love the word rivering. Glad you didn’t give up.