THE AFFAIR

Gold cherry

By Alice Hamilton

Wed, 21 Mar 2018
  • 1780 reads
10 comments
 

There is no song in my heart today.               

The strings of the violin have snapped.          

The notes of the piano sound flat.                  

The keys of the oboe are sticking.                   

Now it’s over.                                                   

 

 

‘Carpe diem,’ said the Roman poet.                   

‘Give me kisses, countless as the stars,              

As many as the grains of desert sand.               

Care nothing for gossip. Just love me.’              

Such talk is rot

 

 

The grey slime of guilt dulls the love song.            

Sad tears of regret spoil the music.                         

The sharp voice of conscience fills my heart.                                                                         

When it fades away, when it’s silent,

The song has gone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSLATION

 

carpe diem - seize the day; live for the present; enjoy the moment 

No English translation can match the sense of urgency in the Latin.

 

Certificate PG
Poetry Monthly
Love

Comments

Submitted by celticman on

sing on, without a song

 

Submitted by Alice Hamilton on

Thanks for you comment - much appreciated.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

This seems very honest and thoughtful, that there can be transient songs ignorning common sense and conscience which can be stilled by disillusionment and turn bitter … into a song of lament? but if peace comes again, there can be a newer, happier song. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Alice Hamilton on

Thank you for commenting.

 

 

Submitted by Ewan on

is our Facebook and Twitter Pick of the Day.

Why not share or retweet if you like it too.

Image source is wikigallery.org and is free for non-commercial use

Author Page at the 'Zon
 

Submitted by Alice Hamilton on

Thank you! What a surprise!

 

 

Submitted by Nolan on

It is never as bad as it feels, nor as wonderful! Go with the flow &

 

Submitted by Alice Hamilton on

Thank you for your feedback. That’s a very interesting comment!

 

Submitted by torscot on

I enjoyed reading this little musical tale of love.  Alas, I can only play spoons nor quote Roman poetry.

ps.  "...the grains of desert sand..."       Gold cherries can thrive there, well done.

 

torscot

Submitted by Alice Hamilton on

Thank you for your lovely comment. The Roman poet is Catullus (84-54 BC). Some of his poems are addressed to his lover, Lesbia; her real name was Clodia. She was married and had many affairs. According to gossip (which did not seem to bother her), one of her lovers was her brother.

PS I cannot play spoons!