The Sweetness of Being Apart

~ Veronica
The Sea Birds by Henry Ryland This painting pictures two women on a terrace in Ancient Greece. One of them is lying, holding a flower, the other is sitting on the floor with a vase before her. They are gazing off into the distance, looking at the seagulls flying above the ocean. The text in the picture: When birds depart from native shores, Too many fly astray: This forlorn life the soul abhors - My love was swept away!
The Sea Birds by Henry Ryland
Rose Garlands by Henry Ryland. This painting shows two Ancient Greek women making garlands from rose flowers. They are sitting serenely, surrounded by doves.
Rose Garlands by Henry Ryland
The Captive's Return by Henry Ryland. This is a portrait of a seated woman in a free-flowing Greek dress looking tenderly at a little bird perched on her finger.
The Captive’s Return by Henry Ryland
The Love Story by Henry Ryland. This artwork depicts two Ancient Greek women, a blonde and a brunette, chatting on a marble terrace overlooking the sea.
The Love Story by Henry Ryland

When birds depart from native shores,
Too many fly astray:
This forlorn life the soul abhors -
My love was swept away!

Across the oceans - raging, deep,
I send a warm embrace:
The longing - harsh and bittersweet -
Sets parted hearts ablaze!

Soar higher, soft-voiced nightingale -
Your songs light up the night:
Pure sorrow carried by the gale
Transcends a swift delight!

The separation draws us near,
And turns into fine art:
There is a certain sweetness, dear,
In being far apart!

Published by Veronica

Hello, lovely stranger! My name is Veronika Sizova, and I am currently studying in Canada. Since early childhood, I have been mesmerized by the literary art. The words – exquisite, intricately intertwined, sophisticated, magnificently powerful and fragile simultaneously, – remind me of the oceanic waves, and poetry hides in their unfathomable depths. This place is meant to become a sanctuary for the tortured souls, aflame with a passion for literature.

31 thoughts on “The Sweetness of Being Apart”

  1. This poem is a response to Marina Tsvetaeva’s work ‘No One Has Taken Anything Away’ about parted lovers, which she dedicated to a fellow poet, Osip Mandelstam.
    A talented writer, Nicolas, selected the inspiration for this creative challenge. You can read Nick’s fascinating blog at: https://sevenhundredjisei.com.

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    1. Its a beautiful poem and your description of the art work really helps to bring the pictures to life. I know that Marina Tsvetaeva suffered greatly under the Communist regime. I have read one or two of her poems (in translation), but would like to read more. Best wishes, Kevin

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      1. Dear Kevin, thank you so much! I smiled with joy reading your comment – it’s a bliss to know you liked my poem and found the descriptions helpful! Indeed, Tsvetaeva had a turbulent life, which ended so tragically and abruptly. Even though her poetry is challenging to translate, it is an immense source of inspiration!
        Gratefully, Veronica

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    1. Thank you for this thoughtful comment! I like the vivid comparison you made – the absence often sharpens the senses, making everything seem brighter.

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  3. You’ve written the perfect response to Marina’s poem – it’s delightful. You’ve captured the sentiments so very well. Thank you for a beautiful poem 😊

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      2. p.s. Hello again, beautiful and intelligent and super-creative gal! (I just went to your about page, looking for a contact form or email address, did not find that, but read the page (WP has a glitch where some of us can’t “like” pages from outside reader view) and loved it.

        Anyway… I wanted to let you know that I just re-read my stream-of-consciousness post that mentioned you and Tanvi… and realize that the subject matter might have kind of conflicted with the recommend, inadvertently… and I am so so sorry for that. The “thinking of you” and the talk about other stuff previous had zero in common.

        I love your blog and your lovely personality and I do these wild screw-ups all the time. Again… I’m so sorry for it. , please forgive me. I have added a p.p.p.s. to it now (😂🙄🙏😘😊) explaining the same thing. Sending much love. ❤️

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Thank you again for your positivity, your writing is really inspiring, and the mutual focus is very much appreciated 🙏😊 We should set ourselves another challenge soon!?

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      1. Of course! You see lots of poems these days tend to be of blank verse, which overlooks the beauty of rhyme. But your poetry is disntict for such crude popularity. I think you are also a neo-classist. 🙂

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  11. I love your poetry! I find it hard to believe English is not your first language (it is not mine either). It just shows that when a poet has love in their heart, it will show. Thank you for stopping by my blog and appreciating my poem!

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    1. Thank you for this lovely comment – it’s a pleasure to receive such generous praise!☺️
      I’ve been learning English for a decade, so my verses reveal lots of hard work; I am sure you share my feelings, being a multilingual writer, as well. Your poetry has touched my soul, and I can’t wait to read more of your works.

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