romancingliterature

[romancingliterature]

Experience

Creating this poetry portfolio was a refreshing experience, bringing me back to the spirit of writing that I once loved. Working on these poems stirred a sense of nostalgia, reminding me of the joy I used to find in both writing and drawing—two creative outlets that I’ve since let go of. This project rekindled that spark, and I hope to keep that creative spirit alive moving forward.

[romancingliterature]

The epic similes from Milton’s Paradise Lost

Milton’s epic similes in Paradise Lost add depth to Satan’s character, portraying him as both menacing and fiercely driven. First, Satan is compared to a "prowling wolf," emphasizing his stealth and hunger. Like a wolf risking all for its prey, Satan is fueled by an intense craving for revenge, and the image of him leaping "over the fence with ease" highlights his bold disregard for boundaries. This positions Satan as a relentless predator, unafraid to break into even the most sacred spaces.

The second simile, which likens Satan to a thief sneaking into a rich man’s house, highlights his intent to steal and corrupt. The “substantial doors, cross-barred and bolted fast” reflect God’s careful safeguarding of Eden, but Satan’s entry shows his defiance. Here, Eden is symbolized as a precious, guarded treasure, while Satan’s breach feels like a calculated invasion of something sacred.

Together, these similes make Satan’s actions feel grand and unsettling, emphasizing his dark purpose. By using familiar images of hunger and greed, Milton turns Satan’s entry into Eden into a disturbing, deliberate violation. -----------------------------------------------------------------

We Arianna and Jodi-Josh pledge on our honor that we have each contributed fully and appropriately to this group activity.

[romancingliterature]

The Lonely Road and Friend

There was a man who walked alone, Through hills and fields and stone, No voice to cheer, no hand to hold, A heart that ached like bone.

One day upon the winding path, He met a stranger fair, A voice that rang, a laugh that sang, Like bells upon the air.

"Oh, wanderer, why walk alone, In shadows cast so wide?" "I seek a friend to share my load, To walk here by my side."

The stranger smiled and stepped in stride, And matched the wanderer’s pace, Through rain and sun, through night and dawn, Through every empty place.

The path is long, the nights are cold, And yet, with you, they’re warm, The stars above seem bright enough To ward away the storm.

But as they passed from town to town, The wanderer felt a fear— What if this friend would turn away, And leave him standing here?

"Why linger close when I am lost? You’ve miles yet you could roam." The friend replied with laughing eyes, "No road is worth alone."

The path is long, the nights are cold, Yet never shall I leave, For loneliness is lightened, friend, When two in it believe.

They wandered on through field and stone, Till years had passed them by, The path once feared now filled with cheer, Two shadows ‘neath the sky. ----------------------------------------------------------------

Group members: Arianna Joseph and Jodi-Josh Thomas We Arianna and Jodi-Josh pledge on our honor that we have each contributed fully and appropriately to this group activity.

[romancingliterature]

The Duchess’s Final Words

I was just happy, you know? Smiling at everything—the light, the gardens, even the white mule on the terrace. But he didn’t want that. My Duke, my love— he wanted every piece of me locked up tight, just for him.

I tried to show him that love isn’t like that. It grows, it spreads—it’s alive. But every smile I gave, every bit of joy, he’d just look colder.

I’d watch him turn away, silent, unsmiling, as if my laughter were something wrong. But still, I held to the light, the warmth, hoping he'd see that love, like life, belongs to the world.

[romancingliterature]

A Passionate Ode to My Love

In the still of the night, I lay and dream, Of the love that flows between you and me. It's a flame that burns so bright and true, Filling my heart with a love that's new.

Your eyes, like pools of liquid gold, Reflect the love that never grows old. Your lips, so soft, so warm and sweet, Make my heart skip with every beat.

I bask in the warmth of your embrace, Feeling the passion, the fire, the grace. You are the one I've always sought, The missing piece to my life's puzzle, caught.

I love the way you laugh and smile, The way you make me feel worthwhile. I cherish the moments we spend alone, The memories that make our love so strong.

With every breath I take, I know, That my love for you will continue to grow. It's a love that's steadfast and true, A love that will forever shine bright for you.

So come, my love, let's make this moment last, In each other's arms, forever fast. For our love is like a never-ending song, Filled with passion, romance, and a love so strong.

Roxyflown

[romancingliterature]

The Last 39 Minutes Of My Life

Time's ticking away, 39 minutes left Memories flash, like a fleeting breath Regrets and joys, a bittersweet blend As I ponder, my journey's end Moments I cherished, moments I spared Love and laughter, tears and care Every second counts, every heartbeat too In these final minutes, what shall I do? Forgive myself, forgive others too Let go of fears, and see this through Gratitude fills my heart and soul For the life I lived, and the love I hold In these last minutes, I find my peace A sense of calm, my worries release I've lived, I've loved, I've laughed, I've cried In these 39 minutes, I say goodbye

Ink Slinger

[romancingliterature]

Vergissmeinnicht

A golden bloom breaks through the cracks of mankind’s asphalt covered tracks, where towers loom o’er dusty streets and cast their mesh of man’s conceits: yet still, this gilded bloom distils the gloom.

A warbling call cuts through the thin cacophony of urban din whose white-noise squall erodes the health and weakens will to discount wealth: yet still the trilling birdsong thrills us all.

Affection wrought, in spite of years of manmade cruelty and fears, was given not in hopes of gain. You healed the wounds of future pain: and thus indebted, we’ll forget you not.

By CeltArctic

(Group: Ebone, Jodi-Josh

[romancingliterature]

Billie Eilish's "Happier Than Ever," the dramatic structure is crafted through a progression of escalating tension, conflict, and intense emotional release. The song begins with an understated tone, marked by sadness and reflection, as she quietly expresses the mixed emotions she feels when separated from a toxic relationship. This intro sets up a foundation of conflict, showcasing her struggle between clinging to past affections and the relief she feels when away from this person.

As the song progresses, the tension builds, and the lyrics shift from introspection to confrontation. In the second half, her tone turns raw and unfiltered, with rising anger and disappointment. Here, she voices long-repressed grievances: feeling ignored, disrespected, and emotionally drained. The climactic moment arrives as she refuses to hold back any longer, exposing the ways this person has manipulated and misunderstood her. She unleashes her frustration and pain, creating a powerful confrontation where she asserts her boundaries, finally choosing her own well-being over the relationship.

The song then reaches its "falling action," as her words bluntly summarize the toxicity of the relationship. With phrases like "You ruined everything good" and "Just leave me alone," she brings closure to the intense emotional journey. By releasing her feelings in this way, she reaches a point of emotional freedom, effectively "romancing with life" as she liberates herself from the conflict.

In this context, "Happier Than Ever" is highly dramatic: it mirrors the arc of a play by developing a storyline from quiet tension to a fierce climax and a decisive conclusion.

[romancingliterature]

"No woman no cry" - remastered

My feet is my only carriage

My feet is my only carriage, worn and thin, across shadows and whispers, a journey begins. Through fields of fog, where light barely breathes, I follow faint echoes that drift with the breeze.

Bound to no dawn, tied to no shore, the night my companion, the dark I adore. Step after step, beneath hollow skies, where stars are ashes and silence lies.

I walk alone, yet life clings near— a ghost by my side, neither far nor clear.

[romancingliterature]

A fleeting moment, but oh so dear, Our time together, a mere memory, Etched within my mind, A treasure I’ll forever find. Late-night talks and silly memes, In my thoughts, they dance like dreams, Days pass by, but you remain, Your memory is forever ingrained. I still remember our very first date, The restaurant stubs I kept still relate, To conversations we had about everything and nothing, Now just memories, but they keep me from feeling anything. You had me at the first hello, But now it’s time for me to let go. You deserve someone better, it’s true, But I can’t help missing you, Though you’ve moved on to new pastures, A piece of you remains with me; it’s true. Cheesy though it may sound, Our brief time together left me spellbound, You left me feeling different, and it’s plain to see, And for that, I’ll forever be grateful, you see. -Bhavya Bhat

Explanation: This poem is a tribute to love's bittersweet aftermath, capturing how even brief connections can leave lasting impressions. Each line reflects Bhavya's quiet reverence for memories shared—late-night talks, laughter over silly memes, even the mundane restaurant stubs that become relics of shared time. It’s a story of acceptance and gratitude, recognizing that sometimes, the most fleeting moments have the greatest impact. Bhavya acknowledges the pain of letting go but holds on to a sense of wonder, grateful for how love, even in its impermanence, has changed them forever.

[romancingliterature]

Gains and aqua

Endless softness, where pale grains meet the edge of a blue so deep it hums. A gentle surrender, the touch of water folding into land, an eternal rhythm of approach and retreat, like a breath drawn in, let go.

Explanation: This poem is about Grand Anse beach. The imagery captures the timelessness of waves meeting the shore, symbolizing life’s ebb and flow, its simplicity and peace.

[romancingliterature]

What is Poetry - Ah-h-h!

“Ah-h-h!”—this primal exclamation, raw and unrefined, embodies the essence of poetry. It’s a whisper of awe, a surge of feeling distilled into sound, the first wordless expression of wonder that ever graced human lips. I think of that single sound as a pulse of life, a love letter to the vast unknown. The sky—so terrifying in its endlessness, yet breathtaking in its beauty—beckons with stars that dazzle and storms that remind us of nature’s power. “Ah-h-h!” becomes a surrender to the unknown above and around us, celebrating the beauty of existence even when met with fear.