Ode to Innocent & Beauty (Ode)

By Luke Labern

This is the start of my three-ode series, inspired by the inimitable John Keats. This is where I really started to become confident and experimental -- in fact, these may be some of my absolute best poems.

* * *

Born of this, these modern times, do impress
On us awareness of the past's mistakes
Regarding loves lost and the effect of stress:
With this knowledge, amplified are the stakes:
Burning passion can lend pure confidence
Though where lies the border of too much?
Enthused with what people tell me I am:
Yet I am confused, hence.
How much should I crave your delicate touch?
Sea of desire, so into vast waves I swam.

Days at once cruel, though temping to their brim:
To waste one obscene, yet many too slow;
Why can I not these dullest days trim?
I wish only for peace, but what do I know?
There may be reason why you are not clear,
Why I cannot see, or know your meaning.
Perhaps enigmatic, your mystery:
To know you not broods fear,
Though so often with you am I dreaming,
For in the future, who knows where I'll be?

Let us not doubt your beauty -- youthfulness
Imbued in your ev'ry feature, dearest:
"Too much!" may some cry. Written in your dress
And manners. Whoever can be nearest,
Is the luckiest, too: for you art bright,
Perhaps painfully so. I almost wish
I did not have the chance to make you my own --
As you bring me delight,
But that sea of mine: am I another fish?
With bad luck, who knows where we'll be thrown?

Even now as I wait, I cannot be sure.
Ecstatic to see, but wary of old:
Which version of you will walk through that door?
Forgive my questions, and my nature bold:
I crave your embrace, but not rejection.
I'll open myself, regardless of them,
But subtlety cracks -- do we feel the same?
This obscure infection
Called reasonable doubt: from where does it stem?
Powerful attraction to you's to blame.

In this laying down of raw expression
I hope to secure a tomb for this;
A pure example of your impression.
Be this the lyrical form of a kiss,
Or movement of ink, for the sake of joy,
Clarification is all I wanted.
So take nothing from this, except my self:
These techniques I employ
Nothing more than to reveal what is fronted.
To conserve my life, in times of ill health.

In my reserves lie endless bounds of hope,
What will release them rests solely in you.
Content when alone, though that furthest scope
A galaxy for us. I maintain; it's true.
These are not the words of futile desire:
Rather, the cup overspilling with contents.
Whether the sea's choppy, or calm as rest,
Know that you I admire --
No longer can I withstand this pretence:
A brew of excitement lies in my chest.

To be stripped of my senses would be apt;
For I would still find that quality there.
If my will be low, and my bones were snapped
I'd recycle all, be it thought or air:
The quality you own, different from mine --
You attract much, whilst I search for ever,
Never ceasing my quest for all things
By the name of divine.
It is no question of how, or whether;
I search for that which my soul sings.

The goal of all this, to set forth my mind.
View me as weak, or lacking your own skills;
For I can and will not stop, until I find
Ecstasy from us -- with no need for pills.
Though quick fixes be tempting, and cheap,
Nature still insists that sobriety
At heart, spreads a longing for innocence.
Now comes the time to reap
Hours of lifetime, and decisions for me:
Just know I adore your very presence.