5/15/2012

Over and Over


Image Source:
WikiMedia Commons 

 
Over and over,
I walk into the flames
without ever venturing a toe
to test the heat.

Over and over, I forget
the smell of scorched flesh,
and judge my memory of pain past
to be a creation of my own making.

Over and over, I vow
this time it will be different,
I will be different,
you will be different.

Over and over, I discover
the fire is just as searing,
and my burned spirit
just as painful.

Over and over, I realize
everything is the same and
think that this time,
it’s time to say goodbye.

And over and over,
I do it all again,
over and over
and over.

~ ~ ~

Claude Lopez-Ginisty, who writes at le courtil des poèmes, sent me the following translation of Over and Over into French. I've always said that everything sounds better in French.

Merci, Monsieur! I am honored that you did this. I reads so beautifully that I'm almost unable to believe those are my words.

Encore et encore,
je marche dans les flammes
sans jamais y aventurer un orteil
pour tester la chaleur,

Encore et encore, j'oublie
l'odeur de la chair grillée,
et j'estime que le souvenir de ma douleur
est une création de mon imagination.

Encore et encore, je fais le vœu
que cette fois ce sera différent,
je serai différente,
tu seras différent.

Encore et encore, je découvre
que le feu cautérise tout autant,
et mon esprit brûlé
est semblablement douloureux.

Encore et encore, je réalise
que tout est pareil et
je pense que cette fois,
il est temps de dire au revoir.

Et encore et encore,
je le refais,
encore et encore, et encore.

***

Written for Carry On Tuesday, where the prompt is “Time To Say Goodbye.”

15 comments:

  1. Well written, Patti! You tell it like we ALL are. Over and over.

    I keep running into a door, half open, and keep wondering, "Why do I keep getting this dammmm headache?"

    Over and over.

    And to remind myself what is REALLY important, I keep writing.........
    LOVE and PEACE, Pattiken!

    ReplyDelete
  2. i feel you...and at some point we have to make a decision...do we keep walking the flames and face the same disappointment again and again...the def of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh I definitely relate to this poem. Self-preservation has to enter the picture at some point, hey, kiddo?

    ReplyDelete
  4. This sums up beautifully the way we humans keep making the same mistakes!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I agree with Brian, at some point we have to stop holding onto something that was bad for us even though it's so hard to let go and, let it go so that we can be free of what is dragging us down and backwards. The pain is the lesson, learn from it then, let it go. Because the past is exactly that, can never be re-visited and if it was filled with pain why would we want to hold onto it. But, I do the same thing too, we all do. Letting go of the ones we love is the hardest lesson we all have to learn
    From the comments you leave, I wish I could help.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oops...I see myself in this. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful Pattiken… and so very true. Here it is in French.


    Encore et encore,
    je marche dans les flammes
    sans jamais y aventurer un orteil
    pour tester la chaleur,

    Encore et encore, j'oublie
    l'odeur de la chair grillée,
    et j'estime que le souvenir de ma douleur
    est une création de mon imagination.

    Encore et encore, je fais le vœu
    que cette fois ce sera différent,
    je serai différente,
    tu seras différent.

    Encore et encore, je découvre
    que le feu cautérise tout autant,
    et mon esprit brûlé
    est semblablement douloureux.

    Encore et encore, je réalise
    que tout est pareil et
    je pense que cette fois,
    il est temps de dire au revoir.

    Et encore et encore,
    je le refais,
    encore et encore, et encore.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I really can relate to your poem - at least the English version! Thanks so much for contributing to Carry On Tuesday. I've been overwhelmed by messages asking me to continue that it looks as if I'll have to!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well written...
    and so true.
    Thank you for sharing,
    Siggi in Downeast Maine

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful thoughts expressed through a lovely writing. Enjoyed it :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Absolutely gorgeous in English and French. Quelle merveille!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. A gorgeous poem! Been years since I've attempted to read anything in French, was a nice trip down Memory Lane :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. SO accurately described of those on again off again relationships, painful.

    This is the hardest part to learn in life when one is so used to being "with," someone.

    "to be a creation of my own making."

    Great poem!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I always smile when I hear..."if I could only have another chance"...or "I wish I was young again and knew what I know now."...sure...as your words say...we would just burn our toes again...great words...

    ReplyDelete

Thoughts? I would love to hear from you.