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Sonnet of Ambivalence

by Ken Harnisch

Should I try to analyze overlong

Bring me away from the silvery gate

I have forgotten how to sing love’s song

And the sky is purpling, the hour late

I pray no lanterns gleaming in the hills

Like fireflies, will light her way to home

She may be gone for good, I should be thrilled

Leaving memories of what we had alone

To dreams of gold perhaps, or if not those

Then sepia pictures in the closet there

Where I can taste the bile, or smell the rose

And feel gray ambivalence bubbling where

Good and evil reigned as Siamese twins

Who broke my heart, then made it whole again

11/09/2002

Posted on 11/09/2002
Copyright © 2024 Ken Harnisch

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Kate Demeree on 11/09/02 at 08:56 PM

Although I have read I believe everything you have ever posted.... this is by far the most...painful

Posted by Julie Adams on 11/11/02 at 05:58 AM

Ken, this is a wonderful expression of the sonnet, vintage in form with the eternity of love's bitter aftertaste...imagery abound--" the sky is purpling, the hour late" and "no lanterns gleaming in the hills/ Like fireflies" and "sepia pictures in the closet " and "gray ambivalence bubbling"...nice close too my friend, good work indeed...peace jewels

Posted by Anne Howe on 12/28/02 at 09:07 AM

some wonderful phrases, smells, tastes, sights...an excellent read

Posted by Ronald A Pavellas on 12/28/02 at 10:04 AM

A most soulful, thoughtful and successful poem & sonnet. You have inspired me to try the form again. Ron

Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 12/28/02 at 03:17 PM

A hauntingly poignant sonnet. Congratulations on POTD!

Posted by JD Clay on 12/28/02 at 04:16 PM

A wonderful message delivered in eloquent fashion Ken. It's never too late if you're young at heart. Congratulations on becoming Poet Of The Day. Peace...

Posted by Kristine Briese on 12/28/02 at 09:37 PM

Stunning. Congrats on POTD.

Posted by Glenn Currier on 12/29/02 at 06:53 AM

I love poems about ambivalence, one of the most prevalent, yet least recognized human emotions. The sonnet is designed to express it and you created one that is a glory to the form and to the many faces of love. Oh... and I DO think ambivalence CAN be VERY intense and you convey it with the deftness of a heart surgeon's knife and the beauty of a Shakespeare. Wonderful poem, Ken. Gees, I await your attempts to outdo this... one of your very best!

Posted by Melissa Arel on 02/13/03 at 02:31 PM

Ken.. this is beautiful :) I had voted this Poem of The Day but didn't see that it was chosen til now! Hmm.. Just a few months late :) Wonderful..

Posted by Robert Cameron Hazelton on 10/02/03 at 01:39 PM

This is a really excellent write about a tough subject, you capture both sides so well. Great form also.

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