Featured art by Shades of Lethe. Click title image to visit her studio.
Listen to Live Reading
Listen to Suggested Audio
Charles Trénet “La Mer”
Romance is dead
Long live romanticism
Viewed by the skeptics as sheer masochism
Taking to saddle, we straddle the schism
Falling either side of the divide
Addled minds scramble to shorelines of indecision
Shackled by uncertainty
Incurring made provisions
Bound by their own lifeboat disposition
In derison
They abandon sinking ship in risen tides
For every heart and flower
There’s an acid shower looming
A dozen red roses decomposing in the lonely throes of ruin
Seemed to be a shoo-in
But alas we’re only human
Some of us are passengers
While others deemed ambassadors for grooming
Use it up and wear it out
Dare not declare the whereabouts
For all signs point to nowhere fast or thereabouts
Suddenly, we’re hunting for a needle in a haystack
Unaware of all potential suitors resolute in need for payback
Shouldering the baggage in the luggage hold since way back
Love deemed out of favour like the eight track
Smouldering like smokestacks
As we soldier on regardless
Fearing unprovoked acts amidst territory chartless
Closing ranks when venturing through badlands of the heartless
Pocket watches weather worn and tarnished
Romance is dead
Long live romanticism
Seems to be most fitting owed to splitting decision
Taking to saddle, we straddle the schism
Falling either side of the divide
Too many skimps simply playing for pride
Love is a game to them
Seek and go hide
Scouting for weakness and playing for time
All in the name of creative mystique
Never really been au fait with cynicism
Thus, I wear my beating bloody heart upon my sleeve
Recall each occasion I have felt unique persuasion
Know well of the pain felt when it leaves
There was once a time when I believed I’d never love again
Still leapt blindly when push finally came back to shove again
Doubts crept in manner no less than untimely
Tears wept mean nothing unless expressed kindly
Laid myself bare to the bones and below
Hope afloat sweet proposal would find me
Timing is crucial
Confiding that truthful
Finding the part of us vibrant and youthful
Rueful eyes narrow
Declining approval
Taking each smile to tribunal
Romance is dead
Long live romanticism
Something exclusive
Bereft of refusal
Taking to saddle, I straddle the schism
To chorus of glorious approval
Remember this verse the next time you’re love struck and feel queasy
Do so unconditionally
And maybe it can really be that easy
Richard Charles Stevens
Keeper of The Crimson Quill



Click here to purchase All of Me Vol. I, II, III, IV & V

Click here to purchase on Amazon
© Copyright: Rivers of Grue™ Shadow Spark Publishing™

Reblogged this on Angel's Reverie #TrinityofSerpahs an RoG Sister Site.
Giggling my a$$ off, and damn can I relate to this post on MULTIPLE levels. As usual, you’ve captured the entire essence of the subject, quite exquisitely <3