Color Variations

[Sitaram]

I yearn to return to the time
When sin wore a black moustache,
When evil spoke in even rhyme
And black-robed death would stand
On a shadow's silken sash
And, scythe in hand,
Would whisper his demand.


And in a time as this,
When virtue wore a cloak
Of virgin white,
Though color-blind,
Perhaps I would not miss
The thoughts you once evoked
And on this night
Could drink you from my mind.


But here in gray I stand,
No longer blind of color
But of love and doubt.
And there against the wall
Your portrait stands,
The colors of the palate blended
By some skillful artist's hand,
And on my desk, there lies your note,
Unread,
The last you wrote.


The smile on the canvas and the scene
Is one I never saw or don't remember.
Perhaps it takes an artist's hand
To see in May
The snows that wait December,
And some love-blinded eye
To feel why flowers die
Before the frost.


And in the amber waiting of a glass,
Your love is lost,
Unlost,
As days await
The brandied evening nights
To understand.



- Sitaram

(circa 1965)

 

[Irene Wilde]

And in the amber waiting of a glass,
Your love is lost,
Unlost,
As days await
The brandied evening nights
To understand.

I've just read through the poems you posted and I wanted to say how much I liked them. They reminded me that poetry is best when it is read outloud, and they made me want to hear them in the author's voice. The word selection, the rhythm, and the "voice" of your writing is very strong. I especially liked this section and I loved your phrase "the grail of simply being" -- I may borrow that sometime in conversation, but I'll give you full credit for it.


It isn't often I ask this, but do you have, or have you considered starting, a blog for your poetry? I would encourage you to do so, if only to create a beautiful frame to match the beauty of your words.

 

[sirmyk]

These poems (the few I've had a chance to read) are excellent... but can you limit yourself to your postings (maybe not post one every three minutes ) I cannot possibly keep paddling down this speedy river of poetry with such a small oar. I feel like I'm in New Orleans and the flood is knocking me from under my feet.

I would suggest a moderator to merge these threads, but they are each worthy of separate discussions.

Also, most of these have dates; I am currently at 1965. Just how many poems do you have? I count 22 threads since August 24th. Are they all yours? If so... bravo!

 

[Gem]

SitaRam, I just finished reading through your poems and they are absolutely beautiful. This one - Color Variations is my favourite. I have a few questions for you but i'll ask them the next time I bump into you on msn.