CANTO 42
Petrarch & Laura meet online
using instant messenger.
Petrarch says:
Am I available?
Petrarch says:
I am a solitary poet
Petrarch says:
who lives with his mother
Laura says:
are you?>??
Petrarch says:
so, as far as a love relationship
I dont have one
Petrarch says:
I have intense friends
Petrarch says:
and I mean Intense
Laura says:
me too
Petrarch says:
I love them dearly
Petrarch says:
truly
Laura says:
meeetoo
Petrarch says:
& with a steadfast conviction
That Friendship Does Exist
Petrarch says:
but I am not as convinced
Laura says:
about Romantic Love
Petrarch says:
as I was even 10 years ago
Laura says:
me neither
Petrarch says:
let alone 50
Petrarch says:
but I will die a Romantic Poet
Petrarch says:
it is my 5th Great Karma
Petrarch says:
and so, I will love you
carnally, spiritually, or astrally
Petrarch says:
because it is my way
Laura says:
I want u and you want me
(I think)
Laura says:
So what is the problem?
Petrarch says:
We need to meet
Laura says:
is that a Problem?
Petrarch says:
maybe it is, maybe not
not thinking that
Laura says:
I wantto
Laura says:
envelope my limbs
Laura says:
around yu
Petrarch says:
am aroused
Laura says:
tis is true
Petrarch says:
believe me
Laura says:
I want yu
Laura says:
as many may
Petrarch says:
can feel your sensuous energy thru the monitor
Laura says:
I hope so!
Laura says:
I am real and I think about you
Petrarch says:
I realize this and I am turned on but I want to know if this is just something happening right now
Petrarch says:
I always get discombobulated at this point
Laura says:
Yes I hear you
Petrarch says:
because I'm basically paranoid
Petrarch says:
I wear a lot of armor
Laura says:
but I think we are in the same page
Petrarch says:
I will trust again
Laura says:
ha trust
Petrarch says:
loaded word
Petrarch says:
trusting my heart
Petrarch says:
know we are on the same page
Laura says:
on the same dance floor
Petrarch says:
I dont want to foolishly mess up
Laura says:
Speak to me your true thoughts
Petrarch says:
many things are so uncertain
Laura says:
Francesco
Petrarch says:
yes
Petrarch says:
when my mind gets blown, I am really flaky. I keep a precarious hold on things
Laura says:
flakey?
Petrarch says:
u are an artist, u know what I mean
Petrarch says:
how the usual priorities
Petrarch says:
dont have much sway
Petrarch says:
I follow the poem
Laura says:
well.U ot sure what you are saying
Laura says:
but I know that
Laura says:
you are Francesco
and I am Laura
and we are here dancing
Petrarch says:
there is that vibrato again
Petrarch says:
nightingales are whispering.
I am sure they're nightingales.
Petrarch says:
could use a cigarette
Laura says:
I did tryto call you
Petrarch says:
I feel like l~m stoned
Petrarch says:
but I was online, no doubt
Petrarch says:
haha
Laura says:
but your line was busy
Petrarch says:
yes
Petrarch says:
would you like to talk
on the phone?
Laura says:
I wanted to speak to you
Petrarch says:
we'll run up horriffic phone bills but so be it
Laura says:
but of course that would only evoke trouble
Petrarch says:
where do you stand with this guy you live with?
Laura says:
I seem to have these desires
for you
Laura says:
that means I want yu
Petrarch says:
I know. but it complicates things with three people in a relationship
Laura says:
somehow
Petrarch says:
have been there, believe me
Laura says:
I am not sute of where I am;
Laura says:
it is unfinisheded at best]
Petrarch says:
so. will be support for you
Petrarch says:
can be this
Laura says:
ButI long foryou
despite my push against it
Petrarch says:
And I will no doubt frustrate the hell out of you
Petrarch says:
dry your longing out
Laura says:
well ., ok. if tht is best[
Petrarch says:
dont want to keep you on a hook
Petrarch says:
want to be a real friend
Laura says:
I did not want to entertain
Laura says:
such expectations
Petrarch says:
well, then if there is real love
Petrarch says:
it will become realer
Laura says:
ha! ral love
Petrarch says:
ral love
Laura says:
does it exist?
Petrarch says:
meaning something that unifies all the loose ends
Laura says:
I will meet you one day... we will talk all about it
Petrarch says:
you know the poem I posted in poetry.com?
Laura says:
yes
Petrarch says:
do you know what is there
today?
Laura says:
what?
Petrarch says:
another sonnet by Francesco Petrarch
Laura says:
youre prolific
Petrarch says:
you want to know what is weird?
Laura says:
what?
Petrarch says:
I didnt post this poem,
but I wrote it
Laura says:
come on
Petrarch says:
I'm serious
Petrarch says:
I sent it to a contest a year ago,
then i retracted it
Petrarch says:
and instructed them to delete it
from their anthology
Laura says:
hmmm
Petrarch says:
It's posted there with the other poem that I didnt write but has my name on it, Bubblewrap. I wrote back to this author
Petrarch says:
here it is
Poem to Francesco Petrarch
Strange to meet a stranger
who shares the same name.
Stranger, you are a poet
with a fine "Bubble-Rap" poem.
Wonder if you'll write me?
Wonderful to receive
a poem appearing to be
sent from myself-Francesco
Petrarch, who are you?
Petrarch says:
so, now someone is posting poems I have written and p0-ems I havent written, what do you make of this?
Petrarch says:
as well as me posting poems
to this person
Petrarch says:
ifeel abitscizoid
Laura says:
kindof spectral
Petrarch says:
you see why I have a precarious hold on things now?
Laura says:
but I know your feeling
Petrarch says:
lol
Petrarch says:
a world of ghosts. it is
Petrarch says:
love it
Laura says:
it us the life of a poet I suppose
Petrarch says:
this is my publishing delirium,
and we are celebrating your
entrance into print as a poet
Petrarch says:
so wonderful, you deserve laurels
Petrarch says:
so grand. let me spin you some across the floor
Petrarch says:
let me swoop you up and swirl you down
Laura says:
I would trade my moments in time
Laura says:
for one spin across the floor
Petrarch says:
oh. the heaven's generous
Laura says:
ha!
Petrarch says:
I'm allowed a whole
houseful of spirals
Laura says:
I wish that I were there
Petrarch says:
can hear us being called to a
higher plane
Petrarch says:
the heaven of attainment of
accomplishments
Laura says:
with you somehow
just for a moment
Petrarch says:
you are in a tender and very dear way
Petrarch says:
dreaming you are
a dream
Petrarch says:
your heartrays pierce my armor
Laura says:
I a telling you
Laura says:
tht I wil cme
Laura says:
and race ny dreans
Laura says:
across your heart
Laura says:
if for nothing more
Laura says:
thqan aday
Petrarch says:
a day can be forever
and a day
Laura says:
oops typos
Petrarch says:
I have adayortwo in memory like that
Laura says:
YOU.. are in trouble my friend
Petrarch says:
because of YOU?
Laura says:
and I bcan feel you tremble
Laura says:
in myquake
Petrarch says:
showering brilliance
Laura says:
Let us dance while we can
Petrarch says:
dance through the marble pillars
Petrarch says:
to the balcony
Laura says:
O take me to the corridor
Petrarch says:
you are very light
Laura says:
whilst I faint
Petrarch says:
I have a bottle of ether
Laura says:
lol
Petrarch says:
I mean ammonia
Laura says:
to the garden then, quickl~
Petrarch says:
whhhheeeeee
Petrarch says:
I whiffed it a bit to be sure
Laura says:
I wantto hide you in my chair
Petrarch says:
I'm small
Laura says:
Inbited many but YOU so rare
Petrarch says:
dont inbite me too deep
Laura says:
chair is there
Laura says:
but never
Laura says:
occupied
Laura says:
say keep?
Laura says:
the chair
Petrarch says:
keep the chair
Laura says:
mmmmmmmm
Petrarch says:
not sure what youre thinking
Laura says:
ha
Laura says:
I want you in the chair
Petrarch says:
the dance leads to this chair?
Laura says:
o yes
Laura says:
sit
Petrarch says:
ok, I'm in the chair
Laura says:
Sit
Petrarch says:
yes, i am seated
Laura says:
in this chair
Laura says:
I bendto you
in this chair
Laura says:
I bend over to you across from this chair
Laura says:
we twist around this chair
Petrarch says:
our hair entangles
Laura says:
arpund this chair
Laura says:
I see our bodies
surrounding this chair
Laura says:
In my mind
Laura says:
I tell myself we are
not supposed to BE around
Laura says:
this chair
Laura says:
But we are
Laura says:
Inmymind
Laura says:
and whio
Laura says:
can sayv what?
Laura says:
about
Laura says:
this chair inymind?
Petrarch says:
we sit together in this chair
Petrarch says:
you facing me
Petrarch says:
I hold your weight
Petrarch says:
your gown is stretched
Petrarch says:
there is a awkward movement to find space
Petrarch says:
draw you closer to me in this freedom
Petrarch says:
what color are your eyes?
I cantsee in thislight?
Petrarch says:
take your hand
Petrarch says:
shake your shoulder a bit
to get you to look
Laura says:
0000
Petrarch says:
look at me> Laura
Laura says:
uh huh'
Petrarch says:
can this make you happy?
Laura says:
Sharing you is happiness
undevelopedt
Laura says:
and a moment in tme ripe
with sweetbeing iof truth
Laura says:
Happiness
Laura says:
is afleeting moment
Petrarch says:
and i tremble the closeness
Laura says:
sure
Laura says:
I want you to toss me
Laura says:
hard
Laura says:
on your bed
Laura says:
Over and over
Laura says:
can you hear me? I NEED
thisd
Laura says:
i~m not confusing things
Laura says:
BUTt am agreat slut
Petrarch says:
am listening
Laura says:
hahaha
Petrarch says:
I know you are after
my own heart
Laura says:
I have myb own heart
Petrarch says:
right, just checking for body parts
Petrarch says:
two hearts in tact
Laura says:
you think I want to claim ownership somewhwere upon you>?
Petrarch says:
when I am at this level, I have these odd feelings
Petrarch says:
get thru this
Laura says:
yes me too
Laura says:
but I overcome the wants the neglects
Laura says:
of expectations
Laura says:
There are no guarantees
Laura says:
EVER
Petrarch says:
dontwant there to be
Laura says:
In want
there is only possible suffice
Laura says:
I wantyou
Petrarch says:
can feet you close to me
Laura says:
I want your body
Laura says:
in true naked surprise
Petrarch says:
yes
Laura says:
000000000
Laura says:
I want
Laura says:
the ecstacsy of physical
Laura says:
and am wiling tio meet its demiuse
Laura says:
oops
Petrarch says:
want you to be intimate but not to the point of demise
Laura says:
haha
Laura says:
ltv always ends up
Laura says:
on a plate ofe demise somehow
Petrarch says:
crispy fried, classic style
Laura says:
well done
Laura says:
aty best
Petrarch says:
with tartar
Laura says:
I want you to toss me all over your bed
Laura says:
like a salad
Can you do that?
Petrarch says:
yes. I can, until you are diced
Laura says:
ok
Laura says:
then
Laura says:
we are on
Laura says:
forahot one
Laura says:
you and I
Laura says:
We will have a water ritual
Laura says:
You and I
Laura says:
Do you see it?
Petrarch says:
oh yes, my imagination is
working overtime
Laura says:
There IS no one that wil do it
for you as...
Petrarch says:
am back to TRUST again, my love
Laura says:
I wan you Franscesco
Laura says:
I wantyu.
Laura says:
Trust?
Petrarch says:
damn. puters are difficult
Petrarch says:
Do the flowers change as I touch your skin?
Petrarch says:
I trust
Laura says:
You are afraid? of what?
Petrarch says:
I will be better once I see you for real
Petrarch says:
the erotic writing makes nervous
Petrarch says:
you there?
Laura says:
Francesco
Laura says:
reach
Laura says:
for me
Laura says:
please
Laura says:
please?
Petrarch says:
gamble it all on love, Laura
Laura says:
gamble?
Petrarch says:
even if this is absurd, do you believe me
Petrarch says:
helpless in the arms of Love
Laura says:
ys
Petrarch says:
no escape
Laura says:
true
Petrarch says:
our existence becomes like a valuable pearl
Petrarch says:
we become like children
Laura says:
furnishihng
Petrarch says:
promising you anything
Petrarch says:
devine aggitation
Laura says:
Francesco
Laura says:
whisper me
Petrarch says:
oui
Petrarch says:
dont look at me
Laura says:
aww
Petrarch says:
fall into the safety of my words
Laura says:
come mnnnn
Petrarch says:
am drowning with you
I cant remember who I was a few hours ago
Laura says:
Francesco
Petrarch says:
what is it Laura
Laura says:
whisper me
Please
Petrarch says:
these words are for your ears only, my dream
Laura says:
assume nothing
Petrarch says:
You are a mirror
Petrarch says:
You are a drum
Petrarch says:
You are the ocean
Laura says:
Yes
