What have saints to do with lovers
theirs the agony of agape and martyrs*
Valentine, the poet says, is strictly for the birds**
this day next season presses hard
such urgency and sweet mustering of mate
forever – or a fleet polygamous state
Rosie in red dress scents affection
loiters longer than the core condition
written in chambers of prenup passion
two lobes and vermilion pigment
percussive organ instrument
a crudely pointed rudiment
loosely transparent is Rosie’s habit
heart on sleeve the sensual hermit
one or other paid the forfeit
amid persuasion and procurement
amaranth a blooded figment
predictable death by denouement
This day Rosie listens on repeat
an unsettled old score-sheet
between interlude and introductory beat
there the grand pause for enchantment
quickening sections of musical movement
a simple saccharine C Major sentiment
What have saints to do with flowers
and chocolate – theirs an agony of briers
mine the decay of sugar soft centres
© Laura Granby 2016
*agape (say a-ga-pay) – selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love
** Valentine day first made mention in Chaucer’s “The Parliament of Birds”
More impressionistic than rhythmic, and putting something overly sweet into Poetry Pantry
As ever a complex, explorative and engaging poem – i particularly liked when you shift gear and we meet Rosie – she seems to bring the ideas to life..like a crimson rose in best bloom..quite brilliantly..
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great feeback Jae Rose – Rosie is the personification of love’s labours lost! There are touches of Alice in her methinks
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Ooh this is incredibly appealing 😀
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so glad you think so ❤
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I loved this Laura…I agree complex and so interesting with the italics as alternate to Rosie. Yes and what do saints know of flowers and chocolate!
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the complexity came from the many different ‘voices’ the poem threw at me and nearly got away from my edits 😉
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from “theirs the agony of agape and martyrs to “theirs an agony of briers” …trace the tears hidden underneath love….
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and love lies bleeding – hence amaranth reference Sumana
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So true, what have saints to do with flowers! This is a most unique Valentine’s Day poem!
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thank you Mary – it was a struggle to form the heart shape from all the different pieces
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I think this is so good.. so many layers, there is a some salt in your sweetness me thinks… (and I love it)
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reassuring words from you as feared it was a mess – thank you -your comment conjures ‘salted caramels’ – rather a favourite of mine!
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Indeed! What have saints and lovers to do with all the things that have been thrown their way.
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they are two sides of loves 4D coin apparently
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I really like the stanza about the saints, who received briers rather than flowers.
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Love is sweet but not the agony of decay when it ends. Luckily true love lasts as two are stronger than one.
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yes it hurts to love and to lose it too especially at the final parting – but without it we would all be more or less hard hearted
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The pain of love; so bitter-sweet. Lovely. 🙂
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aimed for a balance between the extremes 🙂
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Interesting question!
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❓ 🙄
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Wonderful and like the style.
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much appreciated ZQ
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