Tag: love

WHAT HAPPENED TO US?

Searching for peace of mind among the fuss
Has left me asking, “What happened to us?”
The one question that occupies my mouth
In a bid to explain why our journey went south
From happy heights to freefalling flatly
Surreal how things suddenly soured so badly

What happened to us? Swore to “ride or die”
Then love burned and evaporated to the sky
Reminiscing to when we were inseparable
Before a sting in our tale ended this parable
Can’t help pondering if our door is fully closed
Hard to shut away all the promise it posed

 

 

K.G. says…
Many of us have had relationships and friendships where, at one point, we were certain would last forever – only for it come to an end somewhere down the line. It’s fairly straightforward to understand a bond being broken as a result of a fight, betrayal or irreconcilable differences. Those situations can be explained and eventually accepted.
This poem, however, explores the scenario where we can’t quite place a finger on exactly what went wrong or when it went wrong. It can be frustrating because closure becomes elusive. Lingering doubts or wishful thoughts may remain about whether things are truly over, making it difficult to move forward. Lastly, to clarify, I intentionally spelled “tale” this way (as opposed to “sting in the tail“) as a play on words in order to add another dimension in the context of line 10.

WHEN WE MEET

Convinced that you’re somewhere
waiting to be joined on a cold bed
Destiny shall lead us there
and erase the times our hearts bled

Wonder what it shall be like
when we meet for the first time
How soon will love strike
for our ears to hear bells chime?

Perhaps we shall know right away
that we each stare at a soulmate
Aching for the arrival of that day
when love’s kiss seals our fate

 

 

K.G. says…
A lot of people believe that there’s at least one person out there specifically for them; the perfect counterpart. We may at times wonder about what that person is currently doing and liked to think that their life feels just as incomplete as ours until the we finally meet.
Many questions arise when we fantasize about the soulmate we are yet to meet. Who are they? When will we cross paths? How will our first interaction play out? Will it be obvious that we’re meant to be? These thoughts are often fueled by a realisation of loneliness which in turn is offset by the lingering hope that someone special exists for us to find.

YOUR WALLS

Want to get close to you if you’d open up
Hopes half empty as I try to fill your cup
Round and round in circles but we don’t merry-go
Your walls lock me out like Jericho

Our attraction’s magnetic, though you fear the rust
You’ve been hurt once so you find it hard to trust
Mission impossible due to who you cruised with last
They promised you magic then vanished fast

If only I could have been the very first you chose
Wish we had chilled together before your heart froze
In spite of the warmth I give, it refuses to thaw
Still, your past blinds the potential future I saw

 

 

K.G. says…
When writing, I wanted to blend a bit of quirky wordplay in with a piece that has quite a deep tone. The intention was to make the words lighthearted whilst the meaning still hits home hard – i.e. easy on the eyes, heavy on the heart. Most of us have experienced this frustration or indeed been that person frustrating someone else. I, for one, have been on both sides.
There’s a certain sense of helplessness when you’re interested in someone but they’re reluctant to let you in because a former partner mistreated them. It’s like coming across the promised land and being refused entry because the last person they let in urinated on the flowers… [lovely analogy, isn’t it?] Lastly, I realise the Tom Cruise reference [line seven] is somewhat iffy but I still like it so cut me some slack please.

THE ONE I SEE IN DREAMS

You resemble my lover
The one I see in dreams
Can’t envisage any other
As unlikely as it seems

You star in my slumber
So I savour every sleep
Once awake, I remember
Nightly memories that keep

In dreams you were birthed
Then grew on my mind
Heart’s desire unearthed
Eyes scouring to find

You are a wishful prize
Hence why I play my hand
No need to still fantasise
Because here you stand

So irresistible is your appeal
How it fills me with zest
Let us make dreams real
And lay chest to chest

 

 

K.G. says…
The first two lines of this piece were inspired by a chat-up line that my friend used. [Yes, it was definitely a friend and not me]. He said, “Hey, you look familiar”, and the girl asked, “Really? Where from?” My friend then responded, “From my dream last night” – complete with a cheeky wink. Sounds ridiculous yet he did successfully get her phone number.
One of my readers interpreted the subject as a spiritual lady of the night (such as the night hag or Lilith) – which I found hilarious and impressively deep in equal measure. From my perspective, I believe most of us have a mental image of what we’d want our perfect partner (i.e. dream girl/guy) to look like. What would you say to that person if you met her/him in real life? If you ever do run into your dreamboat, feel free to use this poem to woo them. Just make sure you invite me to the wedding for playing wing-man!

THE CANDLE

YOU

are the candle
that ignites passion
so fiercely in my chest.

The flickering flame
radiating rays of hope
to brighten my nightmares.

Your scent purifies
the atmosphere around
to arouse my senses.

That enduring fire
warming my nudity
without charring skin.

As your supple wax
slowly slides downwards,
it helps to solidify me.

My brightest light
on clouded nights
when the stars shy away.

 

 

K.G. says…
A conscious departure from my usual style of poetry [because I ran out of rhymes!]. The structure and subject matter also afforded me the opportunity to be a bit visually artistic. Notice how the verses are positioned in the shape of a candle, with the “YOU” highlighted like a flame? Yes, I think I deserve some accolades for that to be honest!
Anyway, who is the “YOU” in this piece? Could it be a romantic interest, family member, friend, mentor or God himself? Well, that’s up to the reader to interpret. Essentially it comes down to whoever is your shining light in moments of darkness. This is an ode to the lights in our lives. Let’s appreciate them.

A 10 (A TEN)

Are my chances high or nought? Let me know
Give me a chance and cross the nought; tic-tac-toe
Not shy to taste your lips in the open; alfresco
Because totty you’re a 10 like Francesco

I’ll let go of all others if you’re mine to hold
Take me off the market because I’m already sold
You won’t carry burdens, I’ll lighten the load
Darling, you’re A 10 like Great Cambridge Road

Go 10! You’re on another level like a Super Saiyan
Not rich but if you want attention, I’ll keep paying
My persistence is born out of will, like Jaden
I prayed to find a 10, now I can say Amen

 

 

K.G. says…
A paper-and-pencil children’s game. Outdoor eating. An Italian football [soccer] legend. A dual carriageway in North London. A character from a Japanese anime. Hollywood father and son. What do all these seemingly random things have in common?… Absolutely nothing.
However, I was in the mood for a bit of wordplay and popular culture references so they all came in handy. If Shakespeare (through Romeo) can compare Juliet to a summer’s day, then why not compare a fair maiden to a tarmac road in North London?!
Disclaimer for the PC brigade: I don’t actually believe that women’s appearance (or men’s for that matter) should be numerically rated. This is purely light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek flattery; and NOT intended to be misogynistic.

BEAUTIFUL IN ANY LANGUAGE

Her beauty is easily apparent through the eyes
Though it’s not the only way she can mesmerise
As gracious as she is gorgeous; pleasant surprise
Could compliment continuously and speak no lies
An alluring outer aura alongside a warm inner glow
Presence that raises smiles when spirits are low
A queen who oozes radiance from crown to toe
Beautiful in any language – nzuri, jamila, beau

Her glamour entices effortlessly, for it’s so natural
Entwined with a persona as pure as a rare mineral
Various virtues to offer beyond just the physical
Withholding appreciation for her would be criminal
Truly one of a kind; she embodies the old adage
Able to fill a hollow heart and tame a rogue savage
She inspires healing where there’s been damage
Aulelei, sundar, mooi – beautiful in any language

 

 

K.G. says…
Quite possibly my personal favourite of all the poems I’ve written. A lot of my readers also seem to like it. And to answer a question which has been asked of me several times… yes, it was inspired by someone that I know (or at least how I once saw that someone). 
The piece is a tribute to an almost flawless figure; an appreciation of every aspect of her being. To that extent, the term “language” in this context doesn’t simply refer to spoken tongues. Rather, it encompasses everything that makes her [the subject] who she is – her outward appearance, character, values, influence on her environment, etc. Simply put, she possesses beauty in every way conceivable. Now all I have to figure out is where/how to meet such a mythical individual for real!

WHEN THE BEST THING FALLS

Someone somewhere once uttered this phrase
That good things fall apart so better things can fall in place
However sometimes even the best thing also fails
When everything is on track then goes off the rails
Sweetest experience turns sour, leaving a bitter taste
As a treasured aspect of living is reduced to waste

Good things are never supposed to last for too long
But the best things were not expected to ever do wrong
Like when true love betrays and suddenly takes leave
A dagger through the heart that was hidden up a sleeve
Sense of irreplaceable loss, an unfillable void
When the best thing falls and deep sorrows are buoyed

 

 

K.G. says…
“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together” is a quote attributed to Marilyn Monroe, which I once really liked. Yet at the time of writing this piece, I was thought it was absolute bollocks nonsense.
Sometimes the things we cherish most in our lives (be it a friendship, love, an opportunity or ideology) can go awry without warning. In those moments, we can easily fall into the trap of overlooking every other positive and feeling at our lowest. I suppose it’s a lesson not to base all happiness on a single thing for it can be taken away. Rather, we should look within ourselves, first and foremost, for our source of happiness.

SHEROES (THERE IS NO OTHER)

Mother, there is no other comparable
My very first heroine, so honourable
Sheltered me warmly at my most vulnerable
until I was strong enough to enter this world
Without your guidance I’d not have excelled
Gratitude for your sacrifices is forever held

Lover, there is no other in whom I’d confide
My fiercest heroine fighting by my side
During my darkest battles, you do not hide
Together, we’re ready to take on any test
Urging me to be better, you bring out my best
You could have given up but you do not rest

Daughter, there is no other to give my life for
My newest heroine, so sweet and pure
The hope you’ve given leaves me in awe
Weight of the world, I’ll shoulder the pressure
to see you shine bright like precious treasure
My love for you is infinite without measure

 

 

K.G. says…
To clarify, I don’t have a daughter [any offspring in general] or indeed a lover [*sad face*] at the time of posting this. However I wanted to write something in celebration of women and girls. With all the focus (and rightly so) on harassment and gender inequality in the last  few years, I opted for an appreciative approach. Without women, “there is no other” to make life complete. [See what I did there?]
Now, before the PC brigade challenges me to a duel, I am fully aware that the roles females in society are not limited to those aforementioned. Women have been, should be, and are empowered to do anything that they want to. The poem is merely from my sole perspective on who I believe are/will be the three most important women in my own life, on a personal relationship level.

NO ONE TRULY LOVES YOU

No one truly loves you
Very harsh yet very true
The “love” that you construe
Comes with a condition or two
It is not you whom they adore
But how you help them gain more
The value you offer is at the core
Thus, their adoration is not raw
Showing love for their own sake
A charade in which many partake
All justified via give-and-take
Thinking it’s real is your mistake

No one truly loves you
We don’t truly love anyone too
Showing “love” the way we do
Only to those who bring value
When benefits no longer remain
Passion oddly doesn’t retain
Where there is little to gain
Going there, we often refrain
A kind act marred by hesitation
Is false affection under limitation
But to give without expectation
Is pure love in glorious liberation

 

 

K.G. says…
Heart-warming title, isn’t it? [LOL]
While writing this, I didn’t want it to turn into a criticism of others but rather, a frank reflection of ourselves (including me) as people. It always seems to be the other person’s fault that we fall out or lose contact but how often do we evaluate how WE could have improved the situation?
I acknowledge that, like other, I’m not always a great friend. We seem to get caught up in our own selves and personal interests while expecting others to be there for us. Life does get in the way. Although that really isn’t a good enough reason to forsake the love we show to others. I suppose all we can do as inherently selfish creatures is to keep trying to be better. Let’s never stop trying to be more loving.