R.A.D. Stainforth brings my words to life
with a rare smile...
with a rare smile...
 |
| A Dinner Table at Night, 1884, John Singer Sargent |
I expect you,
with omnipresence;
the knowing of it
deepens the ache.
My name tastes intense
in your voice;
every syllable opens new,
like the first time.
We carry each other
to a keen point of view,
a wild exchange
of generosity,
on the sly.
with omnipresence;
the knowing of it
deepens the ache.
My name tastes intense
in your voice;
every syllable opens new,
like the first time.
We carry each other
to a keen point of view,
a wild exchange
of generosity,
on the sly.
Beautiful, Tess!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Sehnsucht poem in German is by the old master Johann Wolfgang von Goethe:
Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt ...
Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt,
Weiß, was ich leide!
Allein und abgetrennt
Von aller Freude,
Seh´ ich ans Firmament
Nach jener Seite.
Ach! der mich liebt und kennt,
Ist in der Weite.
Es schwindelt mir, es brennt
Mein Eingeweide.
Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt,
Weiß, was ich leide
My fav lines:
ReplyDeletethe knowing of it
deepens the ache.
My name tastes intense
in your voice;
R.A.D. reading your words always make it a unique experience, specially when he smiles ~
of course no idea what Sehnsucht means but the poem is exquisite. My name tastes intense in your voice. how beautiful. a fine love poem.
ReplyDeleteSehnsucht is one of those German words with layers of meaning that the English "longing" or "yearning" can only hint at ... a deep and intense feeling of something missing ... something you once had or never had ... an emptiness ... a craving ... a desire ... a spiritual, psychological, almost physical need ... that's Sehnsucht ...
DeletePerfectly defined, R.A.D. We don't have a similar word in English.
DeleteWikipedia offers this "accurate" English translation of "Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt" ( "Only he who knows what yearning is"):
ReplyDeleteOnly one who knows longing
Understands what I suffer!
Alone and separated
From all joy,
I look to the heavens
Towards the other side.
Oh! the one who loves and knows me,
Is far away.
I feel dizzy, and it burns
my insides.
Only one who knows longing
Understands what I suffer!
Generosity on the sly is a naughty and exciting thing!
ReplyDeleteSo much story in so few words and a sigh for the dark beauty of your poem.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely love the title tess...and these lines...
ReplyDeleteMy name tastes intense
in your voice;
every syllable opens new,
like the first time
are set perfect...so much inbetween them...smiles..
I like the way Teresa describes it, " dark beauty", so full of aching, achtung baby
ReplyDeleteSo achingly guttural
ReplyDeleteLove the build up to the unanticipated end!
ReplyDeletebeautiful poem Tess....thanks to R A D for the explanation of Sehnsucht..
ReplyDeleteOne can feel the longing in your words. Love the Sargent painting.
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteit was dripping with sensuality before I listened to the reading, then if just poured
ReplyDeleteMy name tastes intense in your voice---love that line. Listening to the reading brings the intimacy to life...beautiful
ReplyDeleteGreat poem and a truly shy smile by RS.
ReplyDeleteHow intense..a good way to fall in love...well done!
ReplyDeletegenerosity on the sly, now that's subtext!!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo, really intense. Glad I visited!
ReplyDeleteI really think 'my name tastes intense in your voice' is itself a very intense and great aspect of this poem! It really stands out and moves me forward with the story of the poem!
ReplyDeletedescribed as similar to the portuguese word saudade
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERYY8GJ-i0I
as tasty a poem as you will find this side of the Mississippi
ReplyDeleteor the other side
or south of the great lakes
or north of the gulf of Mexico
or the cape of good hope or the horn one
briny, definitely briny,
the intense flavor opening
like every new syllable
grass leaves
white painted picket fences
America Ohio New Caledonia
Cappuccino
is it soup.
I'm glad you liked it Anon...
DeleteLoved it all, but especially this line:
ReplyDeleteevery syllable opens new,
like the first time
=)
Love that painting.
ReplyDeleteoooh whooooohooooo. This conjures up some raptures in my mind!
ReplyDeleteOn the sly indeed!
ReplyDeleteWonderfully carved :-)
ReplyDeleteGenerosity on the sly- fun, thanks!
ReplyDeleteR.A.Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! He makes great poetry even sexier, non?
ReplyDeleteHe does, indeed...
Deletenot unlike the Portuguese 'saudade', sehnsucht...
ReplyDelete& interesting timing this, I recently wrote a sehnsucht poem (but haven't posted it) - I like yours very much
Well this has been an education. Thank you all so much.
ReplyDeleteLovely write!
ReplyDeleteAh, the smile! My German roots embraced, coiled around every word!
ReplyDeleteA fine write.
ReplyDeleteMy name tastes intense in your voice, so deeply touches a mesmerizing love of one (mine) long ago, but lost....and yet, never forgotten. So completely delicious!
ReplyDeleteThat was a luscious poem and a fine reading. I just managed to catch R A D Satinforth's smile. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteHe times that smile perfectly! Just love the ending.
ReplyDeleteA spot on title for your post, I must say - and thanks to the German/English comments, too...
ReplyDeletesublime poem. such an economy of language that casts a spell.
ReplyDeletelove: ...every sllyable opens anew like the first time.
Generosity on the sly - but certainly! Very nice!
ReplyDeleteWonderful language and flow. I love it.
ReplyDeleteand so you do. the word and the voice. on the sly
ReplyDeleteVividly expressed, Tess. 'The knowing of it deepens the ache.' Yep. Thank you for sharing this wonderful poem and the German idea of Sehnsucht, which is new for me. =D
ReplyDeleteDearest readers, thank you for taking the time, not only to read my words, but to leave kind comments, as well. It's so much fun to share my stuff with you. And thank you, R.A.D., for breathing life into my words.
ReplyDelete