THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING

"with man's love thou shalt never be embraced Nor passion's sinful flame thou heart debase" Maid of Orleans - Schiller
Time protracts our longing. Love contracts -in the heat of the momentit shrinks.White heattoo hot to melt eventhe coldest heart, retracts.People defy belonging... Lovers cannot bear the lightness of being -they need pain, desolation, reminders of raw feeling.Forgive their pettiness,this overvaluation of emotion -the flight from 'what is' ; leaves sensibility distorted in the commotion... BjR 15 November '09 Title from a work by Milan Kundera

— Bonitaj, Nov 15, 2009

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: Tip of Southern Africa, ZAF

Favorite Poets: Too many to narrow down, but briefly :, AUDEN, T.S. ELIOT, DICKENSON, RILKE, THOREAU, RUMI ... the list is endless. Am inspired by many, especially those that live lives of "quiet desperation, and go to the grave with a song still in them" (THoreau)

Critiques

Kailashana

16 years 6 months ago

That was something else,

That was something else, both the book and the movie, Boni. And so is your poem. Raw with elegance and truth. Thank you. I too have used that theme in a series of poems; I think we fear being annihilated in that *unbearable lightness of being*....and so we create diversion, separation. Love, Anna "...when it agrees with reason and it will benefit one and all, then accept it and live by it." ~ Buddha

Bonitaj

16 years 6 months ago

Anna!

You've hit that existential anxiety right on the head! and so cogently! "I think we fear being annihilated in that unbearable lightness of being! I too read the book, saw the movie and probably 'wear the t-shirt'! ;) lol Thanks for your continued support and encouragement! Boni

Seren

16 years 6 months ago

Dear Boni

Have tried to buy the book and alas in this backwater some things are out of my reach ... but another wonderful write from you Boni ...I look for your next Love and hugs Jayne x x

Bonitaj

16 years 6 months ago

Thanks Jayne!

especially for taking the time to come back to my 'page' each time. It's so rewarding that you like the piece! cheers Boni

lyz

16 years 6 months ago

Dear Boni

This is a grand write. You have worded this elegantly and yes, emotions, know them well. Enjoyed reading this. Love Lyz. XX

Bonitaj

16 years 2 months ago

Thank you Liz~

sometimes BEING is anything but LIGHT... but then it's our brains that are so heavy!! lol THanks for your continued support! Boni