My lighthouse

People ask us why do we live together
Why havenโ€™t we gone our own way
We stopped being lovers a long time back
We arenโ€™t a couple anymore
We may not even be friends
And yet we continue together
Leading separate lives
But staying in one house.

I have thought about it
Leaving you, buying a nice house
Somewhere near the sea, perhaps?
That had always been a dream of mine
Or a posh one in the city
That had always been a dream of yours.
I have thought about it, you know
Of leaving you, leaving us behind.

You have thought about leaving too
There is no point in denying it
I know you too well, remember?
We have spent more time together
Than we have spent without
And maybe thatโ€™s why we stay?
For you know all my cracks and crests
As I know all of yours.

Yes thatโ€™s why we stay,
To anyone who asks, hereโ€™s your answer
I am the only one who knows your history
And youโ€™re the only one who can read my map
I think leaving now
Would serve little purpose
But stayingโ€ฆat least thereโ€™s comfort
That you know who I am.

How do I leave you then?
When I am old and senile
And forgotten my life
Who else will remind me of who I am?
How can you leave me then?
When youโ€™re lost and restless
Not knowing how to go on
Who else will tell you stories of you?

This is who we are: you a ship at sea
Going on adventures
Me the lighthouse
Guiding you back to safe harbours
Me a light to your darkness
You that sparks a cold candle
Two sides of the same coin
Destined to be together but never to meet.


Written as part of AtoZ. For more, check the Theme Reveal 2020 โ€“ 26 Letters of Love.

26 responses to “My lighthouse”

  1. Love this. Thanks for posting it.

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    1. Glad to hear it ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  2. How well youโ€™ve captured the predicament of a couple caught in a loveless marriage. Actually beginning to believe that most relationships exist only because of familiarity .

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    1. Familiarity – that’s the term. And humans always gravitate towards the familiar because we know how to deal with it. Thanks much.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Radhika Acharya Avatar
    Radhika Acharya

    Interesting read. Lots of imagery amd metaphors. Good one!

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    1. Thanks Radhika. The metaphors have been pointed out in the comments – I had not quite seen them while writing but I do see them now. It’s rather cool, even if I say so myself ๐Ÿ˜€

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  4. That is how many love stories go or so I believe in the real world. Sometimes you don’t know why you are together. Sometimes there is reason. Sometimes you do not know what got you together. Sometimes you know you can never stay apart. Not really. Before I start off on a full-length song or poem I will stop and let you go on

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    1. Oh no – this is the best compliment. My writing inspiring you to write a poem. It cannot be cooler than this! Thanks Namratha.

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  5. I really loved this piece…I have already read it twice! Lighthouse has a profound impact metaphorically and you bring it out with such ease.

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    1. Loved the metaphors of ship and lighthouse.
      Beautiful poem โ™ฅ๏ธ

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks Purba! Ship and lighthouse are another interesting interpretation – one which I most definitely did not intend.

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    2. I do enjoy the imagery of a lone lighthouse and everything it could potentially mean. Thanks Ninu.

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  6. This is akin to rediscovering lost love because
    I’m the one who knows your history
    You are the one who can read my map.

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    1. This is quite an interesting interpretation of what I have written and thank you for that!

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  7. It feels like the lost love being re-visited only to realize that it will never be the same. I must say Suchita, you have a great talent. What you pen down in your poems here is something more than a poem.
    I just love the depth in each of your poetry. You have a big fan in me.
    — rightpurchasing.com

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    1. Thanks so much for the compliment Sundeep ๐Ÿ˜€ You are very kind.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Swarnali Nath Avatar
    Swarnali Nath

    How do I leave you then?
    When I am old and senile
    And forgotten my life
    Who else will remind me of who I am? These lines just touched my heart Suchita. Beautiful poem, felt very soothing and resonated with my thoughts. Very nice dear. ๐Ÿ™‚

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    1. Even with no love, they still care. Thanks Swarnali.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Splendid. I just loved this piece…
    I’m the one who knows your history
    You are the one who can read my map…
    Loved it!

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    1. I think your poems on history are rubbing off on me ๐Ÿ˜€ Thanks Sonia!

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      1. Haha๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ˜€

        Liked by 1 person

  10. This sounds to me like the rediscovery of a love believed to be lost. Nicely written. ๐Ÿ™‚

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    1. What a positive way of looking at it Darshana. Thank you for your input ๐Ÿ™‚

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  11. I have heard of such a couple who just live in the same house. Not even as flatmates. No talking, nothing. Just the same address. I wonder why?

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    1. I’m sure everyone has their reasons. We may not understand them but for them, it makes perfect sense.

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  12. Very beautiful…. I loved the metaphor of lighthouse and the ships…. That’s how relations get more meaningful and beautiful as they grow older like wine I guess

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