Anti-Love Poem #1 Poem by Patti Masterman

Anti-Love Poem #1

Rating: 4.3


When you've loved someone,
As much as you're capable of,
Just let them go. Even better,
Don't write about them- ever.
If you must, let it be once only
And let that be as their epitaph.
Let the seasons and the wind
Sweep away the painful memories
Don't try to re-start fire from a faded puff of smoke.
And give yourself some time to recover.

If you must write thousands of lines
About what went wrong, or why,
For gods sake burn it- burn it quickly
Don't leave it lying around for others eyes to see
And for the dance line to start forming behind you:
The Designated Mourners of decayed, extinct love affairs
Don't forget to leave some room for the next good thing
Which has been waiting patiently at your door
While you've been existing only in the past
As a one-dimensional loser.
Remember, there's only a one letter difference.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Hans Vr 03 December 2011

Yes, Patti, Very refreshing poem. So true. Why keep dwelling in the past! There is always something better at the door, we may never meet if we keep locking ourselves up in the gloom and doom of self-pity and hatred.

3 3 Reply
Captain Cur 05 May 2012

When we sleep with the lover's of our pasts it is in cold beds. Great message. What was that little gal's name I met in the Canary Islands. Oops, there I go.

4 2 Reply

sweet sweet sweet sweet poem.. filled with love... only remembrance can bring such charm

3 2 Reply
Kim Barney 17 May 2015

Very well said. Great advice. I would suggest a few minor changes to make it even better: 1) Capitalize God in the third line of second verse and add an apostrophe: For God's sake... 2) Add an apostrophe AFTER the s in the next line: ... for others' eyes to see Congratulations on having it selected as poem of the day!

3 0 Reply
Lisa Hart 29 December 2009

intense. moving. and good advice. +10.

0 2 Reply
The Crow 20 September 2017

I write my best poems with a broken heart. It helps me write a lot better than love does. Thanks anyway

1 0 Reply
Elisabeth Wingle 11 June 2017

Patti, very sound advice, But, very few will heed.i love that you left us a riddle to solve. (it took me a few minutes) But, I solved it! . Nicely done.

1 0 Reply
Bri Edwards 29 May 2017

one letter difference? loser/lover? oh, i see 'Pamela S.' is trying to be funny in her comment. not too bad. very well done. i approve, but i'm sure MANY women have written reams about ME! PLEASE! tell me you are not using epitaph literally! ! ! ep·i·taph ˈepəˌtaf/ noun noun: epitaph; plural noun: epitaphs a phrase or statement written in memory of a person who has died, especially as an inscription on a tombstone. synonyms: elegy, commemoration, obituary; inscription, legend the epitaphs on their tombstones this is going into my/our all-female June 2017 showcase. ok? i'll probably send the showcase to you when it is ready...or almost done. bri :) Thanks. and to MyPoemList.

1 1 Reply
Pamela Sinicrope 18 May 2016

I losed this! Very clever, well written, and actually, for a poet, great advice. I read through this to the end, digesting every word. So much to write about in this, but really, just well done. Moving forward and on...Thanks!

2 0 Reply

Excellent Ms. M...and I concur with your philosophy, here...Been a long time....Hope all is well in your world, young lady! ~FjR~

2 0 Reply
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