by Mustafa Demiri
Member since:
May 1, 2008

To Suffer With a Wayward Heart (poem)

September 19, 2009 12:14 AM EDT (Updated: January 02, 2010 03:30 AM EST)
views: 110 | comments: 29

 

 

Gustave Caillebotte (1848-1894)

The Pont du Europe
Oil on canvas, 1876

 

 

 

To Suffer With a Wayward Heart

 

We used to cross this bridge together... twice a day,

She would often stop to look over the rail,

and I would, impatiently, urge her on...

 

Never once, would I try to find

The beauty caught up in her eyes,

The beauty just beyond the rails of this bridge:

The seabound ships,

The birds in flight,

The sun at day,

The moon at night.

 

I was weak to have been lured away

by the wisps of wild desire,

by those unspeakable needs

that seduce and torture my wayward heart.

 

Perhaps she'll cross the bridge today,

and find me waiting here.

 

I would not be so impatient,

And we could look beyond the rail together...

 

If only she would pass this way...

 

But wait.......

I believe that I've caught her scent.

 

~ Mustafa Demiri

 
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Comments: 29

Umar, Abu Nurain Sep 19, 2009, 1:39am EDT
Let me say this only once: your talent needs another venue. You are one of ( if not the one) the most talented poets ever to publish on Gather. I know we've had our self proclaimed talents (some of whom waddle in their own self praise). I'm not a literary critic so I don't know whether such critics would agree. However, for me it is clear. I want an autographed dedicated first edition for my descendants.


Granny Janny H. Sep 19, 2009, 10:20am EDT
I agree with you Umar.
Mustafa Demiri Sep 19, 2009, 11:22pm EDT
Thank you, my good friend, Umar... You are exceedingly generous in your appraisal of me. There are many wonderful poets here on Gather, yourself included, and everyone of us have our own way of expressing those elements of being human, and each us our own interesting perspective... I am flattered to know that you think so highly of my poetry, but I am not currently pursuing the publication of a poetic volume, but I am nearing completion of a novel... If that finds favour with a publisher, I will certainly send you an autographed copy.
Mustafa Demiri Sep 19, 2009, 11:24pm EDT
Hi, Janny... Thanks for the compliment... the above applies to you as well.
Deb J. Sep 19, 2009, 8:30am EDT
I really like this my friend!
Mustafa Demiri Sep 19, 2009, 11:27pm EDT
Hello, my friend... I am glad to know that you liked this... Hope all is well with you.
JOHN BECK Sep 19, 2009, 8:35am EDT
From the consciousness of the dog--how endearing and what an example for those of us who walk upright!
Mustafa Demiri Sep 19, 2009, 11:40pm EDT
Thank you, my friend. I am so glad to know that you liked it enough to write what you did... much appreciated.
Kushal Poddar Sep 19, 2009, 8:41am EDT
you have rendered a tongue to the mute.

from the pearl farmers
Mustafa Demiri Sep 19, 2009, 11:47pm EDT
They have not the faculty of speech, but we all know that they have hearts filled with all those elements of life and understanding as we have: Love , hope, fear, anger, desire, jealousy, joy... they dream when they sleep.
Granny Janny H. Sep 19, 2009, 10:22am EDT
Featured on Poet's Weekly Muse.
Mustafa Demiri Sep 19, 2009, 11:48pm EDT
I am grateful for the feature... Thank you very much, Janny. Have a great weekend, my dear.
CC Miranda the artrat (or am i?) Sep 19, 2009, 6:38pm EDT
at first i thought you were talking about this from the guy on the right front side's perspective. how delightful that you took the story to the dog's point of view. brava.
Mustafa Demiri Sep 19, 2009, 11:55pm EDT
That was exactly my intention... I am so glad that I've succeeded in providing you with that surprise. I personally love being surprised in that way. I remember once reading a fairly long short story, in which a seeming witness to a crime serves as a narrator, and only at the end was it revealed that it was the cat that had been speaking to us from the page.
Mustafa Demiri Sep 19, 2009, 11:58pm EDT
Thank you for the kind compliment, and for hosting that wonderful Gather site, The Art of Writing; for which this was primarily written for.
lynn a. Sep 20, 2009, 12:19am EDT
Mustafa, if others could think as beautifully as you write, this world would be a treasure of the sort we have never known. And I know that you are so far ahead of almost all of us here on Gather, but I am glad you are here. How else would we get to read your work. And of course, I hope that you also have other places to write that are more in keeping with your talents and gift. If you do publish some day, I would very much love an autographed copy. Definitely have to agree with Umar on that.
Mustafa Demiri Sep 20, 2009, 12:52am EDT
Dear, Lynn, my gracious friend... like Umar, you are always gracious and exceedingly generous in your praise of me. To own the truth, I view my own abilities as a poet on the modest side of the spectrum. There are really so many talented writers here on Gather, and I am proud to be among them.

I will promise you and all my other Gather friends a copy of my debut... If it should ever happen.
Susan Budig Sep 20, 2009, 11:49pm EDT
You make much of ekphrastic poetry. I'd recommend you tag with that word, too.

I'd like to learn from you. I'd best keep reading your work.
Mustafa Demiri Sep 21, 2009, 11:13pm EDT
It is I who would do well learn from you,for I consider you, without question, to be one of the most brilliant poets to be found on gather. Also I'd like to thank you for the term "ekphrastic poetry"-- I had been unaware of its existance as a word. Thank you and be well, my friend.
Alketa Sulja Sep 21, 2009, 11:06am EDT
Hi Mustafa, my brother! I just read the poem and let me say I'm impressed. I can't wait to read more about your art. Thanks for adding me in "Gather".


p.s. I'm still trying to learn more about gather, that's why it took a few days for me to read it. :(
Mustafa Demiri Sep 21, 2009, 11:24pm EDT
Hi, Sister Keti! What a pleasure to see that you've entered into gather. I am so glad that you've come to visit my post. This poem is written as a response to a world class painting by Gustave Caillebotte, and was posted as a prompt, on a Group site called "The Art of Writing". I do recomend that you join this group; the owner/moderator keeps it very orderly and interesting. She's already inspired two other pieces that I'm very happy with. Give my regards to Ella and Meni.. Be well, Sis.
ann c. Sep 21, 2009, 5:13pm EDT
I can only add my praise to those above. Love the painting that inspired you.
Mustafa Demiri Sep 21, 2009, 11:29pm EDT
Thanks for reading and commenting, my friend... I enjoy the format, and the clear vision of the group-site that posted it, "The Art of Writing". Along with my recent discovery of "Gather Island" I couldn't be more well pleased.
Wade A. Sep 25, 2009, 1:46pm EDT
That is absolutely amazing! Thank you for a wonderful journey.
Mustafa Demiri Sep 27, 2009, 4:13pm EDT
And thank you for the wonderful compliment.
Tracy Fabre Oct 11, 2009, 3:14pm EDT
Beautiful... and clever, that little twist at the end. I agree with the others -- fine work indeed. Even if I am several weeks late reading it.
Alison H. Oct 29, 2009, 1:45am EDT
Delightful!
C.F. Stewart Nov 3, 2009, 6:59pm EST
Never look back, it is said. Herein lies perhaps, one of the best reasons why we, as humans ( who lament over sometimes rash decisions ) often do. You crafted this so adroitly, my friend. Bravo!
sheila h. Nov 12, 2009, 11:53pm EST
love springs eternal..and here there ,too,lives hope..
beautiful tale beautifully rendered..

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