DOLORES
Dolores was a sylph.
She was a nymph
and a bookmark in my life.
I knew I would never love her.
Indeed she never got to be
anybody‘s wife.
But I knew I would never forget her.
She had demons
and they called to my own.
Dolores was a siren.
I tied myself
to the mast of my relation
ship
and sailed by.
I still long for her cries.
Dolores was robbed
of her young innocence
by an uncaring man.
He fucked her
up.
Recently I heard she died
young.
Her story and her villain have gone unsung
until now.
Dolores means ‘sorrows’.
Like her parents knew
from the start somehow.
Rest In Peace, My Sorrows.
Author notes
The image is by Dali of course. He was Dolores's favourite.
In a list
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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A Clutch of Sorrows.
Another slice of personal zeitgeist told in tones so wholly your own Windhover. A melancholy of haunting, wide-spaced rhythm - lines lingering past the final punctuation much as I see Dolores does through your thoughtful tribute.
A good friend of my partner recently lost her true-love and says perfectly calmly that she will follow him soon but at least, unlike poor Dolores, she experienced a love requited. Please don´t feel any urge to reply but I am left wondering how she died. I do not mean to be morbid - I just hope she wasn´t driven to suicide.
Christ! A sad note to end the final comment of the year on, John! But anyway Happy New Annum and thanx for all your many kindnesses during 07.
Cheers
gG
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Auld Langsine
Thanks for reading and commenting here gG. In answer to your inquiry, I don't actually know how Dolores died, thoughthere are rumours of drug abuse/overdose. She and I were a long time ago and I had completely lost touch by the time I heard of her death. I will always think of how beautiful and sexy she was, but I was always aware of her underlying sadness and pain. Why I chose now to lament her I'm not absolutely sure. But don't feel too sad for me. I hope a Happy New Year for myself and for you as well. >W<
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John, seems that ghosts of past conquests and temporary luvs pass on suddenly, yet they still bring dolors and fond remembrances to us. Who says that souls don't live on? I know the feeling, and you've given her a sweet farewell, I suppose a goodbye not only to her, but to that part of you she still sang to.
Love both the refs to ancient spirit sprites and to Odysseus lashed to his mast, pulled to her song, and now, at the last, singing back to her.
I know you're in a Bukowski kick these days, but I wonder if some of the single lines are more artifice than art. E.g., might this work better?::
'Dolores had demons
calling to my own.
She was, you know, a siren.'
and
'...and sailed by
longing still for her cries.'
Just a couple thoughts, morning's minion, nothing more. Very appealing poem from a poet who knows how to remember.
Lad -
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A fine memorial from someone who cared
...Recently I head she died/young. /Her story and her villian have gone unsung/ until now.
A story I recognise, sadly, and wish I didn't - my schizophrenic ex-sister-in-law died early but nobody told me til later - man what a shock; but it must count in the great scheme of things that you noticed her enough to write this, even if you couldn't / wouldn't take the risk to set sail on her troubled seas.
Sad and troubling for me but thereby moving. I hope Dolores woudnd't mind if I stole this for dear Judy too.
A happier year ahead for you I hope - blessings on you for Hogmanay. Regards RA. Rewarded 8
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fer the sake of aul'.........
Hi Alex, nice to see you around again and Happy Hogmanay tae yoo 'n aw' ! No need for too much sympathy for me here though I'll take all I can get on Dolores's behalf. I'm so out of touch with her now I may never even find out how she died. I suppose what's important is she made a big impression and I'll always think of her fondly. Feel free to use the poem in relation to Judy also. I'd be flattered. Thanks for reading and commenting. >W<
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From what you wrote to Dave, I can see that this is an old girlfriend. It sounds like you got the news about her recently? I'm so sorry. It is a beautiful tribute to one you loved at a time. Delores had demons that called to your own, but I would question whether or not you loved her. I guess only you know the answer to this, but it sounds like you did. This tribute would indicate that. You were promised to another yet you will never forget her and still longed for her cries. I am assuming that this is a true story and therefore I must tell you I am sorry for your loss.
If it is fictious, then I look like an idiot, but this isn't the first time that has happened to me. As I have found out lately, I really like your work. So whatever the reality, this is a beautifully written piece.
Butterfly -
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Love is a big word
No need to worry BB, it IS a true story. Dolores was a girlfriend from many years ago. We had completely lost touch. I met an old workmate of hers in the bar one night and she told me Dolores had died suddenly a few months previously. Thank you for your condolences though I don't feel sorry for myself about this. The poem kind of says it all. Except that she loved Salvador Dali and that Dali was my pet name for her. Love is a big word as I've found out to my cost. But certainly I had big feelings for Dolores. Not big enough though. I hope she found bigger ones in someone else before she died. Thank you for the comment and support. >W<
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Excellent tale telling. the line breaks in the stanzas were very effective like in the line 'he fucked her...up' perfectl conveying the fact that the uncaring man destroyed her by taking her sexually and fucking with her psychologically. Beautiful imagery as well, I think that the use of the picture was a perfect package. The slice of mythology was interesting also, the beautiful deadly siren. Very strong.
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Thank you A. Dolores loved Salvador Dali, hence the pic. Glad you thought the structure worked and thank you for saying so. Seasons Greetings and my best to you and yours. >W<
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hey john
a sad tale well told, the references to the sirens in the oddessey were well done. i tied myself to the mast/i miss her cries, great lines. also, he fucked her
up....demonstrates how line breaks can be so effective. very refined and concise read.
dave. Rewarded 6
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You had a hand in this...
Thanks for the generous comment here Dave. you have more to do with this one than you know. I've been reading a lot of Bukowski lately and one of his poems definitely 'triggered' this one. Dolores was an old girlfriend who loved the paintings of Salvador Dali - hence the image. Really glad you think this one 'worked'.
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