That photo you posted
on Facebook
of her and him
unmoored me
sent my head spinning
down
down
that whirlpool
of memory
the immaculate misconception
of my frail craft
the face in the photo
having the last laugh
Immaculate Misconception
John Malone
playful panda
John Malone 
Deep, sad and beautiful ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you so much 🙂
LikeLike
the immaculate misconception …wow, that hits the nail on the head. Well done John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks Bob; this is the poem I’ve been avoiding for months; the pain finally came together and gave me this —
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes poems come the hard way. Sorry you had to go through that.
LikeLike
it was a wake-up call, Bob, to ‘grow up’ and move on ; sometimes you have to go through pain to arrive at a good place — that poem was my catharsis —
LikeLike
Amen to that. I think we can all relate. Again, well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All that Bob said. It’s beautiful, John.
LikeLike
thank you, Worms: it’s a lot condensed into a very short poem 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, the immaculate misconception is infallible. 😉 Didn’t you get the message? There is nothing worse than thinking about what might have been through the joy of someone else’s photographs. Time to block, I say.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks K; no need: I’ve worked through it now but Facebook is insidious in the way it can provoke envy and feelings of inadequacy; best visited seldom 🙂
LikeLike
the perfect title for such a very challenging experience to endure. such powerful words, i’m sure everyone who read this can identify with that feeling at some time or another. onward.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks Beth: that little poem took 5 months to gel 🙂
LikeLike
Got me between the eyes. Reminded me of the power of heartbreak. Some painful things we bury deeply. Beautiful poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you; I feel pleased with it, that I finally got it right, that I could present it —
LikeLike
An excellent poem because of the pain.
I hope it was worth it, and you’ve moved on since.
xo
e
LikeLiked by 1 person
I sure have, Eden — thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lot of discomfort in that. But bygones are bygones. And ‘what ifs’ are guilt trips. Every photo is an enactment. Good luck to those starring in it. We’ve got our own to worry about.
Brave and well written, John. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, I put everything into that; I’ve moved on 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful and powerful.
LikeLike
glad you liked it, Ulle 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
And here is a true poet… taking the pains/struggles of life and turning them into art.
LikeLike
thank you: pain is grist to the poet’s mill 🙂
LikeLike