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Courtship of Poetry

I wrestle with my words in aimlessness when I write. Poetry is a relationship to me, it's a troubled courtship. I can't come to reasonable reform in words on the spot.. but rather seek intimacy with my thoughts in attempt. The two of us, man and his romantic notions, carelessly Laid into tousled affections on a page. I love her, and the page, she spurns me willfully. I love her, and grasp in hopelessness to understand her. I give my undivided attention, my eyes wander her form. I've sought shamelessly to appease her whispered desires. But she is a selfish lover, asking for more than can be given. She, the playful counterpart in a field of rationality, often eludes me.

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Mark J. Halliday

Date: 12/21/2018 11:04:00 AM

Very classy. All of can relate.

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 12/21/2018 11:56:00 AM

Thank you, glad you like it.

J Hamilton Gist

Date: 4/18/2017 8:40:00 PM

I love her too!

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 4/27/2017 1:34:00 AM

heh, we all do. I suspect it's why we're all here, J. thanks for reading.

Marna Henrico

Date: 4/11/2017 3:36:00 PM

Jesse, I simply love this poem. What a unique and delightful way to view the process!

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 4/27/2017 1:33:00 AM

Thank you, Marna. It's an intimate thing.. writing. Laying all your thoughts on the page to be naked before the eyes that read them. So I hold it very precious.

Chris Hagy

Date: 3/31/2017 3:22:00 PM

Excellent piece Jesse:)...you seem to have "courted" this page very well! I am a gusher, so usually when I write a poem, it just all comes out, though occasionally I too struggle to find the right words...then I let it sit for a day, and it seems to finish itself. Beautiful write:)

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 4/3/2017 10:34:00 AM

I wish everything came out in words for me! I feel like I stutter on the page. Then I go back through and have to change nearly half of what I wrote. At the end of the day 90% of what I write, I hate. Thank you for reading, glad you enjoyed it.

Anil Deo

Date: 3/29/2017 12:20:00 PM

Jesse, you are a writer, undoubtedly. You wrote about the struggle "beautifully and romantically. My comment earlier was off-target: you need to keep wander" if you intend "travel" which you say you do. Forgive me and forgive yourself. "I regret some things but learned not to call myself names like daft," which is a WORD CURSE. Please research this truth, and never describe who God made in a negative way, even if errors are made. Shalom Brother in Christ Jesus.

Anil Deo

Date: 3/26/2017 1:45:00 PM

Jesse, this is a unique poem in many ways. The metaphors are really NOT ones I have seen before: congrats. I would tighten the metaphor and the first lines of each of these stanzas. Unless I am wrong - and you intended them - I disagree you show "aimlessness" in Line, or that "undivided attention ... [permits] my eyes wander her form." Does the latter signify, "I WONDER about her form"? (Somewhat like homophones, "wonder" and "wander" have different meanings)

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 3/28/2017 8:16:00 AM

Wander was needed in this instance. to wander or "Travel" meaning that my eyes are gazing over the words I've wrote trying to decide if I'm in love with the words or just merely accepting of it. "this is it" or "can I find better?" as for tighten, I might be too thick or daft to understand what you mean with "tighten the metaphor" and I do wrestle with my own words and even thoughts, aimlessly, with no destination planned.

Neil Alexander

Date: 3/26/2017 12:10:00 PM

Great thanks.

Neil Alexander

Date: 3/26/2017 11:46:00 AM

The poet's mystique, sees those Images hidden from other's eyes. Or, Is it a poet's destiny, to retire into their head? Seeking relevance in thoughts that move the hand. Drawn by compulsion to react to evolving life. Their psyche's revealed by ink marks

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 3/28/2017 8:48:00 AM

that was extremely deep and insightful Neil. Glad you came to read the poem. :)

Ninette Carey

Date: 3/26/2017 11:13:00 AM

Love this! Very Sweet and Tender you grace your words! Thank You! For giving us a view into your dance with words! ?

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 3/28/2017 8:47:00 AM

Thank you for your kind words, Ninette. I'm glad you like it, and indeed it is very much a dance. But perhaps a dance where I'm stepping on the toes of my partner. heh.

Dave Timperley

Date: 3/26/2017 10:34:00 AM

I love this, the way you wrestle with it. For me it is like cooking a great meal. The end result looks nothing like all the ingredients laid out on the table. Great write. #7 God Bless. D.

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 3/28/2017 8:36:00 AM

Thank you, Dave, and your metaphor is a perfect example on the matter! It does come out very much like a cooked meal. I think I have the same problem with cooking though. I know how, I just throw things together and hope they come out tasting good. thanks for reading. God Bless

Madeleine Loggia

Date: 3/26/2017 10:10:00 AM

I thought this was a beautiful picture of the strong t can be to flow to paper was swirls in ones mind

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 3/28/2017 8:28:00 AM

thank you, Madeleine. glad you enjoyed it.

David Pekrul

Date: 3/26/2017 9:58:00 AM

I know the feeling well. Poetry is a cruel lover.

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 3/28/2017 8:28:00 AM

she's a heart breaker to be sure. ;) thanks for reading.

Becca Teagan

Date: 10/27/2016 9:52:00 PM

I love how you wrote this, Jesse! There truly is an intimacy, a love relationship, with our poems :) This is awesome - saving this to my favorites.

Becca Teagan
Date: 10/28/2016 9:40:00 AM

So true, Jesse. Sometimes the words just won't come, and that is very frustrating... but then when they do come, it's a nice feeling. Keep writing!

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 10/27/2016 10:00:00 PM

thank you Rebecca. I'd go as far as to consider it a love/hate relationship. Times it finds us in frustration when you can't find the words to express exactly what we feel. glad you like it. :)