A FROZEN FLAME

A FROZEN FLAME


One may ignite the love flame
In a heart that’s alive.
If the faintest breath lingers,
Someone may yet survive.

All that’s needed is a spark
To light a stack of hay;
But if it is damp and cold,
Just unlit it will stay.

My love, no longer that spark
Lingers now in my heart.
Why try to warm me when I
Get colder on my part?

Pray, don’t waste your love on me.
I am a frozen flame.
Find yourself a flaming heart.
I’m a flame just in name.



• Written in abcb, 7-6-7-6 format.

• Initially written as entry no. 410754 in the book Love poems,"LOVE POEMS" . Posted as an independent item on 10 January 2008.

• A poem is often capable of different interpretations, depending upon the thoughts of the reader as compared to the thoughts of the poet. This point was strongly brought home to me by a reader’s response to this poem, which is given below, along with my reply.

Reader--Your writing brought a sadness to me, showing me how cold love can become and the person's heart also. In my mind I picture one telling this to another and yet they are not looking at each other eye to eye, one is looking away. I see a lone candle struggling to stay lit. This is what the writing brings to me.

Me--Thanks. I am grateful. I submit that a poem often has that beautiful quality of being tantalizingly obscure, rendering itself capable of myriad interpretations. As an author of the poem, what I had in mind was this. The person is saying:

"My love, much water has flown down the bridge since we met. I am now no longer the same person, young and vivacious, full of verve and enthusiasm. Why waste your youth and love on me? I feel myself getting colder now. Find yourself someone who can give you what you deserve, to match your flame of love. I am just a frozen flame. Leave me alone. Let me get extinguished, unlamented, uncared, unsung."


M C Gupta
5 March 2006