Tag: relationships

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.

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.

MODERN INTERACTION

When we met, you seemed quite meek
Requested your number so we could speak
Messaged each other nonstop the first week
But that early promise soon turned bleak
First, I noticed your replies become weak
Then you started hiding for me to seek
Such treatment is audacity at its peak
Under your makeup lays barefaced cheek

Why do you leave my messages on “seen”?
Stop the act, you know exactly what I mean
You even talked dirty, you sounded keen
Something then changed so just come clean
Because this isn’t how it was like before
Conversing with you wasn’t such a chore
How come you aren’t interested anymore?
Tell me so I can at least know the score

That’s the nature of modern interaction
Cold hearts have placed feelings under ration
Chemistry fizzes away with little reaction
As possibilities often end in dissatisfaction

 

 

K.G. says…
I was a bit surprised at just how many of my readers that related to this on an emotionally frustrating level. It’s quite amusing and poignant at the same time. The state of us millennials, eh?
I could go on for hours upon hours about what I think are the reasons behind this phenomenon but I’m sure we all have our theories. Just like we all (or at least most of us) have experienced this type of wasted time. Anyway it happens *shrugs* so as Jay Z and the Foo Fighters both (repeatedly) said… on to the next one!

BOTH KNOW THE GAME

He dangles his cash like bait for her beauty
She uses her looks to lure lots of his money
Both are in it for themselves, their actions are phony

He won’t make her his girlfriend, he just wants to beat
She won’t enjoy his company yet she agrees to go eat
Both know the game so they keep each other sweet

He is after all the pleasures without the commitments
She wants to taste luxuries beyond her confinements
Both tease with their assets, trading off in instalments

He takes her fancy places for her to post on social media
She entertains his advances to ensure he stays eager
Both keep playing till they get tired and need a breather

He happily pays to fulfil his desires, regardless of cost
She cares not that her feelings are colder than frost
Both know the game well and there is zero love lost

 

 

K.G. says…
Bwoiii… a modern take on an age-old tale. These are just certain observations that others and myself have made; presented in art form. It speaks for itself so I don’t need to say too much about it – we all know the game!
On a side note [before the PC brigade gets up in arms], I acknowledge that the particular roles described in the scenarios can also be depicted in reverse and are not restrictive traits of any particular gender or orientation.

CROSSED PATHS

Vowed to protect you, whatever it takes
Warmed your days and soothed your aches
Stood by you through all your mistakes
Until love ended in misery and heartbreaks

Devoutly devoted to you when you were mine
Waiting for clouds to give way to sunshine
Yet the skies grew greyer, an ominous sign
That our crossed paths would never align

Time was, this would have seemed insane
How a bond so true could somehow wane
Slipping further as the tears fell like rain
From friends to lovers then strangers again

 

 

K.G. says…
One of, if not, the most personally emotional poems I have written. That last verse! *holds back tear*  It was also the first piece I ever performed to a spoken word audience. It really seems to connect with people as a lot of my readers have mentioned it among their favourites.
From an artistic point, I was pleased with how it came to life through a mix of sincere vulnerability and metaphors. Such was how naturally it flowed from the heart, that I wrote it all out before scanning the text and eventually deciding on a name for it [after a couple of working titles].