We once dined in Paris
many, many moons ago.
An evening of unblemished magic
before I lost control.
We once dined in Paris,
in the shadow of Le Tour Eiffel.
An evening dedicated to romance
before I put us through hell.
We once dined in Paris
and walked the Champs-Elysees.
A stroll just so romantic
long before we became blasé.
We once dined in Paris
and walked along the Seine.
Oh, if I only could
I would do it all again!
We now eat at McDonald’s
where nothing has a taste.
There are no magic moments,
I laid that all to waste.
We now eat only pre-cooked meals
and do not talk while we eat.
And hands once so romantic
just never seem to meet.
We now zap meals in microwaves,
watch TV while we eat.
And no amount of candy
can cover up the taste of defeat.
We lost it all because of me
because of what I did.
But once we dined in Paris
and that memory still lives.
This inspirational painting by Edward Hopper is Mag 220 over at Magpie Tales, and strangely enough I found the words hard to find. It wasn’t until I blog-hopped for The Sunday Whirl and stumbled on VivinFrance‘s beautiful poem The Stuff of Life I realized where I wanted to go with this. So thank you for the extra inspiration!
Lovely memory, Paris. Interesting to take in the juxtaposition of then and now. There is a tag ‘Dennis Hopper’ that perhaps should be Edward, right? Today’s my day for asking more questions, you see? 🙂
Of course! Sorry! Not Dennis Hopper… My mind just flipped things around. *sigh* Will go and correct straight away! Thank you for letting me know! *smile* I do appreciate it!
Thought it was a test to see who really reads, if so, glad I passed. 😉
A+!
Very true words, well spoken, but saddening blame you put on yourself…
I don’t know what to call you – Bubbly? – but I need a name to praise for this heart-rending ekphrastic poem. Edward Hopper is one of my very favourite artists, and you have really done him in the poem. I cannot believe that my little wordle poem had anything to do with inspiring you! I particularly admire your skill with the French words – the stresses in just the right places make the rhymes work well. I find it very difficult writing rhyming poetry in French.
I once dined in Stockholm – unforgettable, as it was the crayfish festival!
Hahaha… Well, my name is Cecilia, but I go by CC here, so that’s probably what – if anything – I should be called. And if you’ve survived a crayfish party in Sweden, you can survive just about anything… *big smile* I am so happy you liked my poem, and again thank you for the inspiration. Oh, I studied French for about 7 years (back in the Dark Ages) so I can’t take credit for anything there… These days I doubt I could order a hamburger in Paris, though… *smile*
…done him JUSTICE … I don’t know how the word disappeared!
Wonderful Cecilia.. a tale with a perfect cadence.. you should do reading of your poems.. This one was particularly sad.. På nåt sätt så kommer jag att tänka på Olle Adolphsson och “trubbel”… men det är bara en association…
Måste väl erkänna att det är en av mina favoritvisor, men hade inte en enda tanke på den förrän du sa det nu. And thank you so much for your kind words. I really am rather pleased with how this one came out, though I’m too Swedish to be one for self-praise… 😉
We now eat at McDonald’s
where nothing has a taste.
Oh, dear!
So sad! But that is why we make our memories while we can. We never know what life will bring-what unexpected turns lie ahead.
Beautiful as the picture and I think your words echo the artist’s view.
We once dined in Paris..this poem has a nice flow from verse to verse..really enjoyed it from start to end but, the end was a bit sad..
What a turn of events, CC! You realistically pictured an instance that affected ordinary couples who used to have lots going but botched it somehow! Great write!
Hank
This one struck a chord with me CC…well done…oh and it’s Edward Hopper…giggle…
Thank you, Tess! And thank you for the correction too. I’d changed it below the picture, but not in the note below… Annoying! 🙂
Lovely.
I like the progression (or regression) in the story and character by the places they ate at. Well done.
What a memory …enjoyed it 🙂
‘And no amount of candy can cover up the taste of defeat’. Such a wonderfully clever line!
This is excellent! It takes two, though, to fall into the state you’ve described. Don’t be too rough on yourself.
Regret so poignant I can taste it. And regret tastes worse than McDonalds. Beautifully done.