I wrote this poem back in college, in the throes of a particularly intense romantic relationship. This was also during my “goth” period (when I wore black on the outside because I was black on the inside). You can probably tell.

There once was a tremor
There once was a star
That ruled all our feelings
And defined who we are
Now there’s just logic
And painful distrust
And all of our joy now
Is rusting to dust

What oh what is love anymore
The cat has just scratched a new flap in the door
Like the raven pining for lost Lenore
Our lives have replaced our mythical allure

The goth and the painful
Is all you can see
And I tremble struggling
With who I can be
We journey in flocks now
Composing ourselves
With our trancelike intentions
Hung up with the shelves

What oh what is love anymore
The cat has just scratched a new line in the lore
When the only love I find is played by the Cure
Our lives have replaced our infectious allure

There once were two forces
And then there was one
But now there are none left
So which one has won?
You took all of me
And I gave all I am
We lost our twin souls
For the life of our lamb

What oh what is love anymore
The cat has just scratched a new hole in the floor
Like the raven pining for lost Lenore
Our lives have erased any trace of allure