A Sonnet – On Reflection – Life Writing

On Reflection

If we were to meet again, I would say
sorry today, for then, when mad with love,
deranged with passion, all reason astray,
I cried ‘I love you!’ Three words – not enough.

So I left flowers to wilt at your door,
composed mixed tapes, wrote odes, baked cakes, your name
on my lips, in my brain. 'Be mine' I implored,
as I failed exams, missed deadlines, endured pain.

I lost sleep, got sick, felt weak, refused to
see sense - still convinced that you could be mine.
And through it all, silent, wise and kind, you
knew the one answer for me would be time.

You were so gentle with your rejection.
Yes, I can see that now, on reflection.

Anna Larner

LGBTQ+ Poetry – On Reflection

On Reflection was inspired by Coleridge’s poem “To Asra” (1803) which speaks in passionate terms of overflowing, limitless love. The hyperbole of language and the exaggerated feeling expressed by Coleridge evoked a memory for me of experiencing that same consuming passion when I fell in love with a girl at university. I have used the rhythm of the iambic pentameter and the rhyme of the fourteen line structure of the English, Shakespearian sonnet employed by Coleridge.

‘On Reflection’ has been published by Leicester University’s Centre for New Writing in a pamphlet and online, as part of Writing Lives Together – An Anthology of Poetry and Prose an anthology of original poetry and prose inspired by nineteenth-century life writing.

Life Writing 

Life Writing is an expansive genre that primarily deals with the purposeful recording of personal memories, experiences, opinions, and emotions. While what actually constitutes life writing has been up for debate, it has often been defined through the lens of the autobiography genre as well as the concept of ‘the self’ as it arises in writing.

We want to tell you how…

‘On Reflection’ has also been published by as part of We want to tell you how… a wonderful anthology of poetry and prose celebrating women’s loves, lives and landmarks.

Fourteen women have contributed to this anthology. We share our experiences of love and life … and the landmarks that mark our progress through our lives … in our own very varied styles, using poetry and prose.

The anthology is published by Paradise Press an LGBTQ+ independent printing press.

We want to tell you how … contains deeply heartfelt, pain-fully honest, and beautifully written pieces of writing. For those who have ever lived with hope or regret, you will find your own story amongst these pages.

Clare Summerskill

Clare Summerskill is a stand-up, a writer, an actress, a singer-songwriter, an oral historian and an academic.

Find out more about LGBTQ+ Books and Poetry written by Anna Larner.