Distance

Cherry

By onemorething

Sun, 03 May 2020
  • 2974 reads
12 comments
 

I have measured it in millimetres and miles

and whilst the number always changes,

the space is the same -

this is the mathematics of loneliness.

If the chasm between us 

was a body of water,

you or I would still have to choose

to cross it, navigating the flotillas

of my anxiety and your inconveniences.

My arms hold the absence of the weight

and warmth of another,

I do not remember love;

memories have their own distances, 

we construct our private mirages 

to bridge the disconnection -

how when you have been closer

you have never been further away.

 

Image is from pixabay. 

Certificate U
Poem
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rachel,

you capture the loneliness of distance from love in this poem, especially in the line:-

My arms hold the absence of the weight

and the warmth of another,

I do not remember love;

There's a melancholy calm that is both poingnant, but also patient, that distance cannot take away the memory as you hold it in your mind...but still it hurts not to have the real thing.

So much to think about in this poem.

Jenny. 

 

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Hi Jenny, yes, feelings of loneliness are deeply painful. Thanks for reading it. I couldn't decide whether the line 'this is the loneliness of mathematics' should be that or 'this is the mathematics of loneliness'. Any preferences form anyone reading would be gratefully received. I'm going to change that line as I think I prefer mathematics of loneliness. Rachel :)

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I think mathmatics of lonliness is better too.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by hudsonmoon on

 Considerig the current climate. This is especially poignent. Hate when I realize I’ve just stated the obvious. I very much enjoyed this.

Rich

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thanks Rich. Am glad you enjoyed. Yes, I figured this suited the current distancing as much as all other feelings of loneliness. I read something not so long ago about people becoming more aware of the impact of the isolation and loneliness that many suffer daily, lockdown or no lockdown. I guess it's one of the many things that we all hope will mean we emerge from this kinder. Thanks for reading. Rachel :)

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

A very poignant viewpoint expressed with your usual verve. Mathematics of loneliness is just perfect.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thanks Luigi! And thanks for line feedback. Will leave as it stands now then. Rachel x

 

Submitted by drew_gummerson on

I read this and thought I loved that line, Mathematics of Loneliness. Great. 

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thanks Drew. Happy you liked it. :)

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thanks for the cherries! :)

 

Submitted by littleditty on

This is a very cool love poem. Memories do have their own distances - love how you use space in this -those private mirages- to bridge disconnection, very clever, very true, very simply brilliant ending,and lightly done - Wouldn't change a word  :)

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thanks so much, am very happy that you thought so. Yes re memory, I find the ways our memories work really fascinating. Thanks for reading littleditty. :)