Weeds tickle the verge
of a well-worn trail,
like a broken drystone wall
and the dereliction between us.
In my mind brilliance
still shines in your eyes,
the path opens up.
As devil's club chokes
the woods we wandered
and groves we tended,
foxgloves line roads
through the forest.
I forage as months tick to years,
find solice in the forest of ideas.
This is one of those poems that spilled out of me when remembering a relationship that went sour. Sometimes, it is cathartic to revisit experiences that seem like a wasted opportunities - relationships that fell by the wayside like weeds at the edge of a trail, or a derelict wall.
It might seem maudlin or self indulgent to some people, wallowing in sorrow considering all the ‘could have beens’.
I don’t see it this way. Revisiting these things gives us the perspective of hindsight - often after enough time has passed it is no longer raw - and it is possible to gain new insight.
When looking back on these types of failed relationships, they always failed for one of two reasons - either there was a clash of egos or a divergence in expectations. Being caught up in the throes of love can cause many people - myself included - to lose themselves, taking on their partner’s traits, values and ideals.
This is a natural part of growth, but conflict can sometimes arise when you realise that not everything you once thought amazing about a person aligns with your worldview.
These types of realisations can be invaluable in new relationships, and for me, the way I come to them is through considering what didn't work in the past.
Love is blind, they say.
It most definitely can be 😂
Thanks for reading.
All pictures used are creative commons licence, credited beneath the image. If you have enjoyed this poem, you can check out my homepage @raj808 for similar content.
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