When you hear the word ‘poetry,’ horrible visions of high school English classes probably race through your head—painstaking, meticulous analyses of complex poems that you could probably not care less about. But reading poetry can provide you with an escape from the chaos of daily college life and can give some intellectual insight on life that a Buzzfeed article simply could not.
Lang Leav, a poet and the author of international best-seller Love & Misadventure, recently released a new book of whimsical, creative poems titled Lullabies. Offering a deep look into the complexities of love and loss, the book has three chapters: duet, interlude and finale. Below are our favorite poems from each section.
“Loving You“ from Duet
I saw him the other day. His arms around another girl, his eyes when met with mine—were slow in their recognition. I wonder if he remembers what I once told him. I will love you forever. He had smiled at me sadly before giving his reply. But I am so afraid you may one day stop. Now all these years later, I am the one who is afraid. Because I love him, I still do. I haven’t stopped. I don’t think I can. I don’t think I ever will.
“Nostalgia” from Interlude
Do you remember our first day? The fog lifted and all around us were trees linking hands, like children playing. Our first night, when you stood by the door, conflicted, as I sat there with my knees tucked under my chin, and smiling. The rainbows arching over and the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. How the wind howls as the sea whispers, I miss you. Come back to me.
“For You” from Finale
Here are the things I want for you.I want you to be happy. I want someone else to know the warmth of your smile, to feel the way I did when I was in your presence. I want you to know how happy you once made me and though you really did hurt me, in the end, I was better for it. I don’t know if what we had was love, but if it wasn’t I hope never to fall in love. Because of you, I know I am too fragile to bear it. I want you to remember my lips beneath your fingers and how you told me things you never told another soul. I want you to know that I have kept sacred, everything you had entrusted in me and I always will.Finally, I want you to know how sorry I am for pushing you away when I had only meant to bring you closer. And if I ever felt like home to you, it was because you were safe with me. I want you to know that most of all.