Dead End Street

Two versions (I never feel that any of my poems are finished)  of this poem.  The first is close to the original, the second an attempt to finish it.

Love can sometimes be like a bungy  jump: and sometimes things beyond love’s control can make it seem like a ………

DEAD END STREET (November, 1969)
I remember the nights, after getting ,
(When it was all just beginning to be known to me)
of ecstasy
and the feelings of exuberance
            too deep to be described
of floating on clouds
            dreaming of her in my arms
            and in my life,
of the warm all-over feeling
            dancing on tiptoes
            with hands in my pockets
            and arms at my side
                          half of joy and happiness
                          un-nameable
                          half of agony of separation
grinning from ear to ear
engrossed in my whole being
            just at the shear thought of her.
and totally unspeakable heavens
            of the one hundred and twelfth degree
                          at knowing, and seeing in her eyes
            that this was a two-way street.
                          but it had a dead-end.

I think this version (worked out many years later) works better.

I remember the nights of ecstasy
        and the feelings of exuberance
        too deep to be described;
of floating on clouds dreaming of her in my arms
        and the warm all-over feeling i got after getting home,
        dancing on tip-toes, with my hands
        in my pockets, and arms at my side
and moaning deep inside,
        half of joy and happiness
        immeasurable
        half of agony of separation
grinning from ear to ear
engrossed in my whole being
at the shear thought of her
        and totally unspeakable
heavens of the one hundred and twelfth degree
        at knowing and seeing in her eyes
that this was a two-way street.
                                        but it had a dead end.

Leave a Comment