Magaly from Poets and Storytellers United, invited us to find inspiration in one of the titles of books she proposed. I chose 'The unbearable lightness of being'. I didn't read it or know what the title meant so I looked up the book. I discovered it was made into a movie which I found online. I read some quotes from the book. It made me think that the film is a poor substitute for the book. I enjoyed it, though.
What stood out for me was that I think that in the story, lightness was partly related to love being transient As if love and sex were not taken seriously. One of the main characters was a womaniser.
What stood out for me was that I think that in the story, lightness was partly related to love being transient As if love and sex were not taken seriously. One of the main characters was a womaniser.
I didn't like him as I have dealt with one of them. That's what inspired my poem haha
Then there are those
Whose lightness is unbearable,
Fluttering kisses upon lips,
Ignited by flames
That engulfs their minds
With carnal obsession,
Where lust tramples on wisdom.
Lust doesn’t taint the
mind;
It’s unaware of its existence,
Partnering only with pleasure.
There is a void where
Giving should reside,
Raindrops mingling with
Bitter tears of the other.
The pure will find
A love that endures,
Resting on the heart like
A heavy blanket,
Inducing peace and warmth.
In this shared bond of love,
The mind reaches
Beyond the heavens with
its sparkling stars and
A splendid moon,
Where ruby red rests
On midnight black.
Painting the sky’s
mystery
With courage and passion,
Softer than satin.
I love how effortlessly your poem flows with such rich imagery and sentiment - Jae
ReplyDeleteThe poetry is so beautiful and lovely
ReplyDeleteThere is a void where giving should reside... so beautifully put... I haven't read / seen this one but I did read Kundera's Immortality... like I wrote in my review of the book, the concept is interesting (at least in the first half), the characters not so much.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I never felt drawn to see the movie; didn't know it was a book. Your poem is absolutely gorgeous, even if it does contain a warning about lust without love.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see another insight poem from you Marja.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen the movie or read the book but certainly enjoyed reading your take on the subject.
Be well my friend.
Big hugs
Peggy xxxx
Very sensual. I like that the love is uplifted to the heavens.
ReplyDeleteYour poetry is gorgeous ~~~ one of my all time favorite books, the film was a disappointment for me. Again, I love this poem.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem with vivid rich imagery....Rall
ReplyDeleteI always wondered why "being" was "light," but not enough to read the book. Maybe I suspected that it'd be a whine for indulgence of a commitment-phobic male. No loss!
ReplyDeletePK
I also googled the title since I wasn't familiar with the story. LOL, it wouldn't be my choice to stay with a womanizer, but people make all sorts of decisions for all sorts of reasons, as well as define love in all sorts of ways.
ReplyDelete"lust tramples on wisdom", unaware of the mind's existence, onlyof carnal pleasure. How true!
ReplyDeletePure love, on the other hand, 'rests on the heart', inducing peace and warmth , with the mind beyond hHavens' splendid elements.
Hi Marja - what an interesting subject ... I knew about the film ... but not the history - which is really interesting - I must probably see the film (easier than reading the book!) ... I love how you create poems for us ... and in this case - sending us off to learn about that era and Czechoslovakia as it was in 1968. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Marja - I hope my other comment appears above this one ... I do remember the Bowler Hat scenario in the film ... so I must have seen it at some stage! Now I must find out more ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteDear Marja,
ReplyDeleteI have read both the book and seen the film, but both were a long time ago - the late 1980s. I remember that I found Kundera's philosophical reflections interesting and discussed it with my friend Brigitte, saying that neither of us would have wanted to keep Tomas as a partner and that we found the ending sad - especially for Teresa. And I remember that I didn't really understand the title, although I found it interesting. I now found out on Wikipedia that Teresa had a hard time with life in the free West and with the "unbearable lightness of being" there. And she probably had just as much trouble with Tomas' lightness, with which he jumped over her feelings. The film cannot do the book justice, of course, for me it only managed to give the characters in the book a face - but that didn't make Tomas' face any more likeable. Maybe it's because I've also met heartbreakers in the past. Your poem shows that you would have agreed with Brigitte and me back then. Keeping a womanizer is not a good idea. You might enjoy its fire for a while, but it's not good to burn yourself on it. And it's not a really warming flame. You put it very well:
"There is a void where
giving should reside"
We were definitely looking for a different kind of love, you and my friend Brigitte, as well as I - and I think all three of us have found this love that gives us peace and warmth. We are happy women!
All the best, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/08/weltreise-2024-neuseeland-sudinsel.html
PS: My first Christchurch post went online today. Yes, actually, my FIRST, because I took so many photos in Akaroa at the Giant's House, I still have to put together a second Christchurch post ;-DDD
oh very interesting Traude I didn't pick that up that Teresa had a hard time with life in the free West. That makes sense. I must read the book one day as it seems a good read
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