Reply to Pope Alexander

I could never really stand poetry for most of my life. I always just saw it as another type of busy work that teachers could give us in class. It was not until I watched the movie "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", the 2004 romantic sci-fi, that I learned that poetry has its charm. The title of the movie came from a poem that Alexander Pope had written about an illicit love affair and how forgetfulness provides the only escape to the two tormented lovers. The poem is rather lengthy so I am only including the lines that inspire me the most here.


Alexander Pope-"Eloisa to Abelard" 1717

How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!

The world forgetting, by the world forgot.

Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!

Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd

My response:

My thoughts as encompassing as time
Endless possibilities in life
But I always come back to you, mine.
Everyday, we put ourselves through this strife
I wish I could forget you, my future wife.

Life without you would save me for this eternal pain,
No more would I lay awake at night wondering about
you, the future and if they are at all the same
But without you, I would have no joy. I doubt
I could ever forget you. I have accepted the rules.
I will play this game.