Contentus Horribilis

30 Nov

To write poetry, something must stir.

Come undone crawlingly, raise its hydra head.

Sit by raging waters, let your dark side churn.

Toss back imaginary curls and wade into lines.

 

To write poetry, something must give.

A singleness of being, the dizzying freedom of time,

A torrid landscape and

anguish of heart.

 

To write poetry, something must fold.

Silently, dangerously, beckon you

inward

To play.

 

Darkened rooms, burning spirit, the severing of all ties

Momentarily.

Solitude, restlessness, the non-mundane

Let it storm tonight, like

I’m nobody’s wife.

 

To write poetry, something must shift.

If I can locate the gear

Of my charmed Californian existence and

Reset happiness, calm, to baseline with

the edge of my

words.

 

Until then, love

me still,

As a being

of peace.

While the phrases float

away, on

paper boats of

my own

making.

12 Responses to “Contentus Horribilis”

  1. Aunty G.'s avatar
    Aunty G. December 1, 2011 at 1:22 am #

    To write poetry like this
    Must be a state of bliss
    Or deep, dark despair
    But, must, is a flair
    That’s why i have to give it a miss!

  2. Meena's avatar
    Meena December 1, 2011 at 1:34 am #

    Hi! I am Lavanya’s friend Meena – the one she mentioned when you met last. I wanted to tell you that i find you a truly gifted & outstanding writer & poetess… and i so look forward to your delicacies.

  3. fhhakansson's avatar
    fhhakansson December 1, 2011 at 4:24 am #

    The “hydra head” metaphor for the unconscious stirring of one’s poetic imagination is ingenious!

  4. Orange Jammies's avatar
    Orange Jammies December 1, 2011 at 9:06 pm #

    Aunty G: I love you, Aunty G. I’m going to call one of these days to catch up.

    Meena: Hello! 🙂 I remember. Thank you for your kind words. Join us the next time we meet!

    fhhakansson: Glad you liked it. 🙂

  5. Double Inverted Commas's avatar
    Double Inverted Commas December 2, 2011 at 4:11 am #

    Loved it!

  6. Orange Jammies's avatar
    Orange Jammies December 3, 2011 at 1:28 pm #

    Double Inverted Commas: 🙂

  7. rajni's avatar
    rajni December 4, 2011 at 8:25 pm #

    Agree with Gul di!Without the flair the other 2 triggers are useless.How are you?

  8. Orange Jammies's avatar
    Orange Jammies December 6, 2011 at 8:25 pm #

    rajni: Thanks. 🙂 I am very well, how are you? How are Nisha and Rohit?

  9. rajni's avatar
    rajni December 20, 2011 at 8:22 am #

    Both are good & growing so fast.Nisha’s shot up in the past 6 months & already showing too much interest in makeup & high heels, preening in the mirror & making her mother nervous with worry dreading the teen years just round the corner:)Rohit , is still the same .Cool sensible , quiet older brother although he’s a lot more outgoing now.

  10. Orange Jammies's avatar
    Orange Jammies December 23, 2011 at 11:21 am #

    rajni: It is hard to believe I haven’t met them. 🙂

  11. rajni's avatar
    rajni January 1, 2012 at 6:20 am #

    Yes, it really is.I must thank Guldi & 360 for that first introduction to OJ’s world & super writing .I remember reading through your whole blog at 360 , getting to know a little about you, the reason for the name of your website, your love for your Dad & nana & so much more.It’s been a fantastic journey, so far:)

  12. Orange Jammies's avatar
    Orange Jammies January 2, 2012 at 3:41 pm #

    rajni: 360 was something special. 🙂 We had so much fun, didn’t we?

Here's a bar of chocolate. Now talk to me. :)