The calm, the joy,
the stillness, around.
The love, the care,
ample, abound.
So why, O why,
this hour, today?
I long, to tread,
a path, astray?
 
You are, my love,
my true, my one.
For I, can’t be,
with we, undone!
Can this, be then,
a small, mistake?
A lapse, in which,
I do, partake.
 
I know, I know,
you seek, from me.
Just faith, and truth,
and, honesty!
My soul, though chaste,
is wild, and free!
Confined, constrained,
it just, won’t be!

How then, can I,
resist, you say?
Encores, anew,
when come, my way?
Are they, then still,
forbidden, for me?
Their touch, their feel,
and, ecstasy?
 
At times, my dear,
I may, have been.
Unhinged, adrift,
aloof, unkeen.
I took, an oath,
of life, with you.
Wander, I may.
but still, stay true!
                                 - Ibad Mohammed

© Rhymes in Reason, March 2020

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Discussion about the poem:

Recently, I saw a movie where a character leads a very comfortable, successful and for all sense and purposes, a very satisfying life. That is what it seemed on the surface though. But, as we dwell deep into the character, we understand that she might be all that, but in the very least, she was not happy. This, dear readers got me thinking and the result is this poem. Wanderings…

I have come realize that in life, or in the “race” to be successful, if I may borrow the cliché, (not that the definition of successful is clear to anyone either, but anyway…) we have definitely lost sight of being “Happy!” In slogging for that big house, big car and all things materialistic which we wish to acquire to massage our massive ego’s, we have lost sight of the fact that we are doing all this for happiness and all the wealth of the world won’t be enough, if we don’t achieve that.

The same thing, has sadly, become true of our relationships.

The poem begins by clearly stating that the relationship in this case is joyous, loving and caring. Yet, our subject is longing for something more, something which he/she thinks is missing. And they are sure that the path of such longing is bound to be called immoral by the society. This begs the question, is love enough by itself? I don’t know, I think you, my dear readers might… so I leave it up to u!

The subject again makes it very clear, that the other person in this relationship is definitely their one true love! So much so, that the subject can’t imagine life without their partner. And hence, the they quite naively (or cunningly if you prefer that) asks for their partner’s consent to knowingly partake in a lapse as they call it. Here again, a question, from me to you, is it a lapse or a sin? And is cheating only physical or emotional as well?? Waiting for your answers!

Next, we come to know that the subject’s partner has no extravagant demands of them either. Just the average ethics that would be expected in any relationship. And then comes the punching line “my soul, though chaste, is wild and free.” Here the subject confirms two things for us, that their soul is chaste, i.e. they haven’t strayed yet. But still, the shackles of worldly morals may well fall short of binding it forever!

This is again made clear in the next paragraph where the subject makes a desperate plea to find a clear path. They are at a loss at how to react when some new (or old) feelings or experiences are trying to rekindle their flame. But the point that arises here is, if the flames are being re kindled, were they completely doused in the first place? And if they are new, surely, they wouldn’t have been lit without a spark, right? What do you guys think? Do let me know…

Finally, the subject addresses their companion again in the last stanza. It is this confession that makes this poem so appealing to me. That even though a person may sometimes be enticed to walk a path astray, it is the oath of eternity that they took with their partners which will eventually survive and surpass any and every temptations that may come their way!

(P.S: this is a pure work of imagination and it has no connection to any experience, thought or feeling the poet may have or have had in their real life!!)

(P.P.S: yes the P.S. was for my wife! 😉 )

Do you feel differently about this subject? Or have you surmised some other meaning of this poem and/or any particular line/stanza? Do let me know in the comments below or on any of our social media handles and we can discuss!