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A strange poem I composed during a dull class. My writing teacher said he
liked it, but didn't know what it meant. That is a flaw in the poem. Poetry should not require an
introduction to be understood. Even if a reader does not recognize all of the images or metaphors,
he should be able to see the message. If he cannot, then what is the point of the poem? Perhaps
we might write poetry for our own self-expression, but if that is the case, then why publish it?
No, poetry must be understood or it is not good. Ultimately, this poem fails.
So I place it here, where people can read it freely and with the aid of this
introduction. I still like it, and some of the images are quite good. Maybe with the help of
this introduction, it may be understood. A flaw, certainly, but not a fatal one.
So this is what it means — it is a love poem to a woman who will never
read the words and who will never requite the feelings. The writer is desperately seeking words
that will make himself clear, but he fails. So he brings up and discards images until he finally
gives up, realizing that nothing he can say will change things.
1
And day to day these thoughts relay —
My mind emotes this plane;
And I am tied up in your eyes,
And all has been arranged.
Free fall my mind, find free unwind,
To treat time to translate —
But time stands still for lack of will —
I do accept this fate.
"I've lost," I said, "where I was lead,
Until I track'd that star."
A star, said I, what will I why?
I find you're never far.
I then that find but you won't mind,
I worship from your side;
But you and me is all I see,
Destined to dream on by.
Well won, my Love, with wars redone,
So much for small a gain!
And all, alas, has cross'd my path,
Wash me waters of rain!
2
Cannot conceive of life out thee
So my mind cannot say,
For words to write I search the night,
Yet none are worth the page.
The stars that shine o'er such a life
Have half the whole of you
The moon doest pale, I must retell
When one becomes of two.
True tripped and to fast fall for you —
White washed with whisper heard.
Confess your heart is torn apart
When wished for what we were.
Time takes a bow forever now,
Forever to stand still;
So leave us be eternity,
For once I want the will.
So see the signs of our lost time
Have gotten in our way —
Can Love survive such trailed lives?
Wash me waters of rain.
3
I'm lost I find; find me, find life,
Race on until the end.
Death do us part but it does not,
And life reaches begin.
Begun undone to find the One —
Or two or three or four;
But Love dies not nor fades nor rots,
Nor after or before.
I'm lost, I fear, I was so near —
My mind meanders thus.
And all I write might mend my life,
Even unto enough.
I lose my thoughts so caref'ly brought,
To thus tribute to you;
My heart does stop upon this spot,
And never to renew.
And so we start these worlds apart
If nature gets her way:
I feel I know I'm tainted so,
Wash me waters of rain.
4
Another step I feel inept,
But by and by is seen
The time to sell and time to tell —
In'twined here in between.
Which was won't find why True Love shines
Nor not for Lovers less,
Likewise I find that all my life —
Cannot conceive confess.
I'm lost, I know, which way to go?
So sells myself for life.
And all the time I spent in night,
Teach me what was the right.
Perhaps I've gone on for too long
Perhaps I've just begun,
To wonder at the point we're at,
To wonder yet at Love.
To see you fight against that night
Finds me in so much pain.
So wash me clean in life's own dream,
Wash me waters of rain.
5
The night comes to I'm still with you,
Or at least in my dreams.
I must admit I wish to quit,
I feel so incomplete.
© Copyright 2000 by Paul Lytle. All rights reserved.
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