La Douleur Exquise

by Hannah Lizette   Jan 8, 2014


Dust particles rain like confetti
onto the covers of neglected books,
dog-earred pages that
cough your name and
fingerprint smudges that mold a
poetic portrait of the man I said I
never loved -

Did I mention denial is found
in chapter six?
I know because I used to
nestle beside it and call
it home.

-

I licked my fingers
so I could turn the pages
faster and taste your skin,
only to find the pang of
heartache wedged between
your words.

I stared at the period on
the last page for seconds
I forgot to count before
I heaved you across the room,
mourning the loss of syllables
that once meant something to
you and nothing to me -

only to pick you up hours
later and leaf through the
pages of a book dedicated
to the love of your life.

*La Douleur Exquise (French) - the heart wrenching pain of wanting someone you can't have.

Copyright 2013: Hannah K.

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Latest Comments

  • 10 years ago

    by The Po whet

    An exceptional write I must add, so absorbing and leaving the reader to understand the whole poem at the end ...was but awesome. And your writes are unique in a way that keeps one engrossed ... Hannah k.how do you do it!

  • 10 years ago

    by Robert Gardiner

    Very Nicely Done Hannah!!!

  • 10 years ago

    by Mahal Ko Kuya Ko

    I really, really do love this one :))

    The first verse really managed to draw my attention in... 'Confetti' somehow gave me a a nice atmosphere... I love the wording... Maybe you are saying that this person has been a part of your life or the book of your life.

    The second verse,
    you are denying that you love this person... I think that's what you mean with 'denial' here... and denying has been your routine... I love the specification of the number of chapter here-- chapter Six :))

    Third verse,
    you gather all your courage, I think that is the symbolism of licking your fingers, and the turn the page or fast forward with your life to find out if you will have this person sometime in the future, but you are hurt with what you found out.

    Fourth verse,
    This is my favorite part... this is greatly worded in my opinion... Something has ended here... maybe the thing between the two of you that means a lot to you.

    Lovely ending :))
    I do adore this so much :)) And great title, by the way :)) 5/5

    --- MKKK

  • 10 years ago

    by Britt

    "I licked my fingers
    so I could turn the pages
    faster and taste your skin,
    only to find the pang of
    heartache wedged between
    your words."

    Waaa. Love it!

    This is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. I feel so much attention to detail in this poem! As I was reading this I kept thinking how similar styles you any MaryAnne have (shes one of my faves so this to me is awesome haha). Both have a certain flair for detail and emotion in a way no one else does, described with real life things. Awesome poem!

  • 10 years ago

    by Dagmar Wilson

    Wow, Hannah I don 't know where to begin.
    This is awesome. I once was told that we cannot always get what we want, but if we try, we may get what we need. That someone loved me but for some reason I did not feel the same way. Years later I sat down and thought what if? At times we don't recognize the impact we have on the other person and their sincere love for us until much later. By then it is usually too late and they have moved on. That is what I gather from this beautiful write.

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