Riches To Rags (English sonnet)

by Ben Pickard   Nov 22, 2023


Such spite we showed along the path to hell
Yet even now I wonder why we burned.
We had the wish but never found the well -
It seems our rustless coins were wishes spurned.
The flame was set alight in search of heat
And at the start, our passion flared with verve
But now we dwell in dark and in defeat;
Perhaps, in truth, we got what we deserved.
By brandishing our swords, we wage a war
And never once believe that we will lose,
But slender blades are weak and can't endure
Those battles that we really should refuse.
We heap our coffers full with coins of gold;
We have the cards to win but then we fold.

--

Ben Pickard 2023

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Latest Comments

  • 2 months ago

    by Kasie

    Beatifully written as always! I've missed reading your sonnets.

  • 5 months ago

    by Poet on the Piano

    Missed your sonnets! I love the question in the first lines of wondering why you burned, the purpose of a relationship if there is only a painful aftermath that you couldn't have predicted. There is a tangible sense of defeat here, and the comment about waging a war made me think of the futility sometimes in how we try to salvage something... or maybe argue a point that we know will get us nowhere, will not enlighten us or give us perspective. Fighting for the sake of doing something perhaps, putting energy toward anything. The meaning of the title and "coins of gold" made me think of not seeing something for what it is, and so we can easily fool ourselves into thinking everything is fine or if we "appear" to be okay, it will somehow work out. But sometimes, situations can't be fixed. Sometimes, as heartbreaking as it is, relationships can't be mended in ways we would have hoped.

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