10 July 2013

Throw Away the Key


The Locks of Pont Neuf, Paris, Pic by Poet


Sweet symbol, they smiled while locking new love

to  Ponte Neuf and tossing keys in the Seine—

the moment grey and still despite tourists

and the sharp bark of laughter that followed.

They spun around, then laughed and began their

life, honeymoon over, home again where

schedules that once meshed, clashed, strange rash

cut down intimacy, mutual friends took

sides, tires flattened, faucets dripped into rage

until—determined to revive their love—

They returned to Paris where love had thrived,

cut down their lock to onlookers’ surprise,

then tossed it and their rings into the Seine

swearing never to trust symbols again.

Posted for Kim's Verse First ~ Lock at Poets United.
Re-posted at  Poets United Poetry Pantry #158.
Copyright © 2013 S.L.Chast

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16 comments:

  1. Suzy7/14/2013 1:19 AM

    Love should be free and felt in our hearts not bound up in materialistic symbols. Very nice. Loved it.
    Dropping by from Verse First
    http://ilasoulpoems.blogspot.co.nz/

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    1. Susan7/14/2013 6:05 PM

      Thanks for visiting, Suzy--I'll look in the Garden for your poem. Some people do not find the symbols get in the way, but those lucky ones are not in the poem. By giving up theirs, however, I imagine my young couple getting it back together.

      Delete
  2. Sean Vessey7/14/2013 8:59 AM

    Love is in the heart
    Symbols can be cast away
    Woven thrice in souls

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  3. Brian Miller7/14/2013 10:09 AM

    smiles...remember sending you an email on this one...
    again, i like to think hope into this..to not follow blindly
    what others call marriage but forge their own way...in that
    i find a bit of healthy rebellion that i like much...you should turn this one into a short story....

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    Replies
    1. Susan7/14/2013 6:06 PM

      I'll think about the short story. Hmm. But you are right, I meant this to be a positive end. (But I do believe in marriage.)

      Delete
  4. Nissa Annakindt7/14/2013 10:29 AM

    This poem made me very sad for some reason.

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    1. Susan7/14/2013 6:07 PM

      Did you have a similar experience? Imagine my couple going back home happy without the evil curse they just happened to meet up with.

      Delete
  5. Kerry O'Connor7/14/2013 10:37 AM

    I think the locks are such an integral part of custom - I like to see such things kept alive but as you say, symbols can be misleading - nothing guaranteed.

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    1. Susan7/14/2013 6:09 PM

      I like customs--locks, rings, etc. In that way this might be a dishonest poem, because for me it was a what if .... But my fantasy couple reversed their steps and undid the curse that followed them.

      Delete
  6. Audrey Howitt aka Divalounger7/14/2013 1:34 PM

    I loved the use of symbols here--and the locking and unlocking of hearts--Beautiful!

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  7. Abin Chakraborty7/14/2013 1:43 PM

    loved the ironic twist in the end.actually, its when the aura of symbols dissolve that everyday love is found.

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    1. Susan7/14/2013 6:12 PM

      In this case, yes. I imagine some people can live with rings and locks quite easily. My long ago husband (divorced 1975) said that my father saying "now she's yours to take care of" put fear in his soul. The words started changing how he acted, and the unraveling--not all his fault--followed. Another type of symbol, yes?

      Delete
  8. Sherry Blue Sky7/14/2013 2:16 PM

    I love the trip back, and the tossing of the rings........hopefully they renewed their relationship by tossing the symbols! Good one, kiddo!

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    1. Susan7/14/2013 6:12 PM

      Yes! A story for a change. A happily ever after story.

      Delete
  9. janetld7/14/2013 8:14 PM

    Very original. Enjoyed!

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