The Ardor of War



"We're goin' down
And you can see it too
We're goin' down
And you know that we're doomed
My dear
We're slow dancing in a burnin' room" -
John Mayer

What is this alliance,
hip joined battle plan
to defeat our hearts
before they are consumed?

Shadows brush our secrets
into a moon bin and we think
there will be no war in goodbye.

The heat of our bodies sear
us with memories, blush stained
scar bearers storing moans
our skin will never forget.

The dream slayer loves a standoff.
It rallies fools to the cliff edge
making bets who will fall.

Yes stalks us with its treachery
surrender holds no defeat.

We ignore the enemy ticking
on a shelf chasing stars toward the sun,
and continue our war in a burning room.

 ©Susie Clevenger 2017

I used Grapeling's word list from September 17, 2014.
art, war, attack, fire, capture, neglected, ardor, tactics, energy, alliance, treachery, scheme, tenderness

Comments

Angie said…
oh, this hits me smack in the middle of my forehead Susie.
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Wow, do you ever use those words to powerful effect, Susie. Wonderfully done.
tonispencer said…
This is quite a poem! Intense and real.
Jim said…
We have met the enemy. For sure he "rallies fools to the cliff edge, (surely) making bets who will fall."
..
Anonymous said…
Amazing use of the word list and to some end. A powerful and forceful poem.
Beautiful, and so well matched to/by the video.
Marian said…
War in a burning room. Just seems so ridiculous, so senseless.
Sanaa Rizvi said…
'The heat of our bodies sear us with memories, blush stained scar bearers storing moans our skin will never forget' ..this is so unbelievably poignant!
Anonymous said…
This is so intense.
Margaret said…
Got me with the contrasting title!...