A Stairway’s Climb Into Flames



Stairs, an escape from flames,
but not for us.
You climbed the iron stairs
through anonymous stars
bringing passion’s match
in your fingertips.

Forbidden warmed our skin
chasing away the coldness
of bigotry that judged our union.

In a tiny room bridging here and there
love was all the truth we heard,
the only touch that mattered.

It seemed so perfect until the sun rose
and you, like Romeo, fled with dawn,
leaving me as your Juliet
wrapped in a blanket of inevitable.


©Susie Clevenger 2012


Charlie, my husband, and I went to see this movie in 1968 when we were dating.
I fell in love with it. He fell asleep. Ah, such is romance. :)

Shay at Real Toads challenged us to write a love themed poem using movies as inspiration.
Fireblossom Friday #10 ~ "Lights, Camera, Love!

Comments

Susan said…
A little fire of a poem. It is wonderful how you link stairs to being trapped in the passion, forbidden and hidden, but as clear as Romeo and Juliet. The ending of that story could be rewritten.
Fireblossom said…
Wow, there's a different take! Thanks so much for being part of FBF, Susie. Such an evocative poem, too.
Daydreamertoo said…
Romeo and Juliet is such a sad story. Love doesn't always win in the end, does it? When you think of all the sad endings to great loves from ancient history (Helen of Troy & Paris, Anthony & Cleopatra) through to modern day.
I really like climbing iron stairs through anonymous stars and, passion's fingertips. Forbidden always seems so much more enticing too. lol
Very nice imagery in this Susie.
ayala said…
Love Romeo and Juliet..sad and beautiful. Love your poem!
hedgewitch said…
There's a lot of nuance in this Susie--I love the mood you set--the tension and sense of fragility, of the temporary, comes through really well, esp in the ending. (And I had to smile at your husband falling asleep during a movie that held me riveted and in tears...;_) )
Hannah said…
Love your closing stanza/line, Susie!! Nicely written. :)
Susie Swanson said…
Very romatic and passionate.. Love it..
Sherry Blue Sky said…
The mention of those rickety fire escapes takes me back to my younger years, when rentals were tattered, but the view from them spangled with the stars in our eyes........loved this poem. Loved even more you loving the movie and your hubby falling asleep. It was ever thus!
Dulce said…
wrapped in a blanket of inevitable.
How I loved that! Thus love, starts and then he goes to sleep in the cinema (LOL)
Great poem. great love poem.
D.
Brian Miller said…
love was all the truth we heard,
the only touch that mattered....nice....the blanket of inevitable....wow great turn of phrase that....susie, i like this much....
Kerry O'Connor said…
Congratulations on your 42nd anniversary! Wow! They should hand out medals these days for anything over 8 years.

I too love the Zefferelli Romeo and Juliet. You poem reminds me of how many barricades love must surmount in order to find fulfillment.
Maude Lynn said…
The closing line is absolutely brilliant. Excellent write!
Helen said…
... 'bringing passion’s match
in your fingertips' ~ we tend to overlook the erotic power in our fingertips ~ concentrating on larger body parts ... love where you took us in this stairway climb.
Margaret said…
wrapped in a blanket of inevitable.


Wow. I would love to see this version!
Margaret said…
(just added it to my Netflix ;)
Susie, this is awesome!!!

There are several lines that totally blow me away. I am extremely impressed. I am having problems manipulating your blog and cannot seem to copy and paste my favorites. I will try again later. I loved it!
Carrie Van Horn said…
Susie this is wonderful and I love the photo and title...."a stairways climb into flames"! Congrats on a love that has stood the test of time!
Sheila said…
beautiful poem and photograph!
i haven't thought of this movie in ages ~ my now-ex, though back then not-yet, husband and i went to see it with pretty much the same results as you and your husband. {smile}

love your poem, especially the last line.