When The Stars Walk Backward

A Poem by redzone

...taking chances

When The Stars Walk backward

“Trust your heart if the seas catch fire.

Live by love though the stars walk backward”

e.e. cummings

It’s been a very long time

since the stars gave me their light,

traveled backward in eons

of life’s infinity,

and given me hope.

Before this I saw only shadow,

felt the demon’s cold breath,

tasted the sea’s bitter, salty breeze,

smelled the crypt’s dank death.

No warmth flowed through these veins,

my heart held no trust.

****

Walking in and out of shadows one day

I fell into one of your poems.

It’s textured colors

gently wrapped me

in desire’s illusion’d metaphor

of innuendo’s intentions and

innocent flirtation’d allure.

And the seas caught fire!

****

It was amazing.

I never realized so many emotions existed

in a single line,

or the depth of desire so great

and could exist

in the black on white

contours of time and space.

They blazed tracks and trails

leading you into a wonderous heart.

A heart that also lived in shadows

with blood thirsty demons

tearing off pieces of trust,

daring and openness;

leaving only cold fate behind.

****

Yet such beauty played amidst this sadness,

tickled cello strings into submission,

laughed at life’s absurdities with

candles ablaze and flowing tears,

and from time to time, a teasing me smile.

The seas caught fire

in my rusty old heart.

****

But what about all those stars

that in spite of all illusion’s innocense

still walk backward?

There are billions of them

and no guarantee they will ever get it right.

But the sea’s on fire,

the moon’s ablaze with sensual intentions

as it chases the sun into morning’s desire

and twilight’s silky skin’d innuendos.

****

So my sweet, exotic friend....

“Trust your heart when the seas catch fire.

Live by love though the stars walk backward.”*

Come, walk with me,

let me hold you with my battered heart,

kiss me with your morning tides.

Take a chance we may find

all the love sonnets ever written by those wayward stars.

~~~redzone 4.21.15

* The lines quoted in the poem are from e.e. cummings. This quote and this poem is mainly about taking a chance and trust. To be open, honest and strong enough to listen and learn from each other. To enjoy and cherish the simple touch, the subtle smile and crazy moods.

© 2015 redzone

Author's Note

thanks for reading.... music is "As" Najee, playing songs from Stevie Wonder's "Song's From The Key Of Life"

My Review

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Reviews

highonwords

a heart full of bitterness and mistrust, emptied out of love, until she came into your life, and made you whole again, have faith and hope again in humanity's ability to be trustworthy and loving - i am dso glad you found the light, again, my friend - with love, risks are taken, we jump with it into the sea and hold out our hearts as the light to guide us back to the land of love and acceptance of pain and tragedy in our lives

best,
steph

Posted 9 Years Ago

jacob erin-cilberto

i would like to read those sonnets written by the stars...

i like the mix of the stars, and the sea...love the idea of the stars walking backwards...so their light can live again....since we just see them after they die.

what dreams and secrets they may hold.

i like the cummings' quotes mixed in...

one of my favorite poets, ee...
but wonderful words here.

Posted 10 Years Ago

Lydia Shutter

The emotions expressed in this poem are so lovely, Curt. Poetry can set the sea on fire. It can spark emotions we forgot existed....ones that the stars held captive for too long. It's not easy to dive into that sea when it is on fire. Especially for those who have been burned before. Still, it is worth it...always worth it. We have to trust that when we jump, the safety net will be there.....or the inner tube as the case may be! :) It's been far too long since you wrote a poem, my friend. It's a pleasure to read you again. Your "nice" words are always memorable. Lydi**