The Irony of Love
Irony is a literary or rhetorical device.
The essayist Henry Watson Fowler wrote:
“any definition of irony
—though hundreds might be given,
and very few of them would be accepted—
must include this,
that the surface meaning
and the underlying meaning of
what is said are not the same.'
He left out that any definition of
Irony must include that it is cruel.
I never understood
The meaning of irony
Or how cruel it can be,
Until you told me,
That though you may love me,
You find it difficult to
Hear the words
“I love you” from me.
You see, some three years ago
You jokingly said
'I love you' to me,
And I begged you
Never to utter those words again.
Not because I did not want to hear them,
But because they were difficult for me.
They carried heart-felt consequences
That I did not want to face.
So, I shut out my heart and followed my head.
And in life filled with so many regrets,
It was the biggest mistake I ever made.
The irony,
After some thousand days have past,
You uttered the same
Imprudent sentiment to me.
This sentiment is the definition of irony –
The surface meaning
And underlying meaning are not the same.
Because although I asked you not to say
“I love you”,
It is all I wanted to hear.
The cruelty,
That now that heaven has at last
Blessed, cursed me with
Clarity of the heart,
And I want to say what I mean
With no different underlying sentiment,
You tell me you do not
Want to hear these words from me.
But the most ironic and cruelest part,
Will be,
If you make the same mistake I made
And keep from me what is within your heart.
poem by Hal Caufield
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Related quotes
Hidden Meaning
To death do us part
Does that mean death of the heart
Or growing old in age
That might be like being trapped for all your days
There are too many ways to look at this-but not enough time to comprehend
What this means, and where its meaning ends
Im not sure how to say it
But I’m sure you’ll understand-that it means love and life will exist to the end
Not necessarily together-no not at all
Love grows old and fades away
But some things are here to stay
Love them for all your time, and don’t forget what love was mine
To death do us part; the irony so discreet
And some of us, that irony will meet
When it happens then you’ll know
Why love and death are not one
So death do us part,
What do you say
Is your meaning for now and today
Or will it be for along the way
Until then, I will try
And even see what I can find
Death do us part, I’ll figure you out
And when I do, I’ll find that route
The path between death and love
And see if it intertwines
If it doesn’t then I’ll know
That life and love were meant to grow
To flourish in the great divine
Of course...that love wont be mine
poem by Anna Ragin
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Real art is without irony. Irony distances the author from his material. Irony is a product of something. It's not the reason for doing something. Irony is a cheap shot.
quote by Robert Altman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Justify
To add justice,
I did not scream nor cry,
I instead called,
“Irony.”
Yes,
Irony.
The strange noun that bites and slaps when least expected.
So, to justify,
I called Irony.
I would like it to be shown, to the court at least, that I did nothing wrong,
nor nothing right.
I called his name,
when he was gone from sight.
I whispered my wisdom,
to a deaf and blind old fool,
I gave my only love,
To one who would never love at all.
So,
To justify,
I believe I did not lose,
I just didn't win.
That is often the case with irony.
poem by Kaitey Cat
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A Natural Reaction
A reprobate? Who, me?
What's up with that?
Don't ask me to cozy up
and be your pal, please!
If I wanted, I could wreak
havoc on the whole crew!
By the way, can you define
irony for me?
Yes, I said irony!
I don't think you understand
the uses of irony, do you?
poem by Michael Pruchnicki
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The Sounds Of Birds
It's in the chirps-the sounds of birds,
As though repeating your oft uttered words:
Seen everywhere I could gather thought-
To truly love, without bound, you have taught!
The words come to me in dream and whilst awake,
Each time I do hear, away again my breath it does take-
My purpose in my life, defined by feelings mutual-
Ne'er has there been more need for sentiment perpetual! !
Words still are only just that, meaning naught without more,
Actions in keeping with pathos do bespeak amity's core!
Alas, not able are we to belie-
Nor, to fully answer the query-why? !
Every bird's song you shall hear, from now, uttered,
Be sure can you that my heart again has fluttered!
Maurice Harris,29 October 2008
poem by Maurice Harris
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Art of Misunderstanding
Awkward silence, funny situation
Fatal mistake, disaster drama
Cold war, unfortunate tragedy
Misunderstanding could lead an irony
Wrong impression, lack of communication
Ego party, early judgment
Social gap, culture shock
Misunderstanding raise from intolerance
Same purpose, different perception
Same question, different talk
Same fear, different heart
Misunderstanding tests our character
In short period, in long term
The dark past, the uncertain future
Shaking the world, dividing people
Misunderstanding define where we lay our trust
Interesting love plot, mastermind crime
Underlying meaning, uncompleted sentence
Slice of life, sketch of comic
Misunderstanding is a human story
poem by Maria Sudibyo
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Definition
Definition
What does that mean?
The meaning of life
The meaning of who you are
The meaning of our dreams
How can we define?
What all that really means
Is it the definition of?
Life
Dose that mean we can be
Anything we want to be
Or is it simply
Do what you say
And be forever free
Is it the definition of?
Who you are
Accept your fallacies
And be a better
Human being
Is it the definition of?
Our dreams
Dream the impossible
And live up to your dreams
And make them all real
Who really knows?
What it all really means
poem by Kaila George
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Song: Spell Out The Blues
There's no-one who's better,
Better than you!
No ruthless go-getter,
With the dumb luck of youth.
There's no-one who's better,
Better than you!
A fashion trend setter,
Who's never uncouth.
My life's such a clutter,
But what can I do?
I've pulled down the shutters,
And choked off the view.
The world is a gutter,
A foul smelling brew.
And my writings still stutter,
To spell out the blues.
Spell out the blues!
They spell out the blues!
All the words that I splutter,
Spell out the blues!
There's no-one who's better,
Better than you!
I'm your prisoner in fetters,
Though you're never cruel.
There's no-one that's better,
Better than you!
No grudge or vendetta,
To play me the fool.
There's no-one who's better,
Better than you!
I am dry cheddar,
While you are just smooth.
There's no-one that's better,
Better than you!
You sent me those letters,
So I'd walk in your shoes.
Walk in your shoes!
Walk in your shoes!
I'd pound out the leather,
And walk in your shoes.
My fragile self shatters,
Yet you flatter me.
My attention is scattered,
I fall to my knee.
How can it matter,
If satyr I be?
For I am the Mad Hatter,
Of sad irony.
A sad irony!
A sad irony!
Like metal I'm battered,
By a sad irony.
With a mind sharp as butter,
I ferret the clues.
A weird internet-er,
Who studies the news.
Some call me a nutter,
But I cannot lose.
When the words that I mutter.
Spell out the blues.
Spell out the blues!
They spell out the blues!
All the words that I utter,
Spell out the blues!
poem by David SmithWhite
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Words have got.....
Words have no meaning if they are concealed
It has no relevance if it is not revealed
Prayers has got no meaning until they are accepted
Blessings have got no meaning until they are showered
Heart will not beat truly until it is made to
Feelings may not come on surface until they are made true
Vision has got no meaning until they are made to look through
Bitterness may not disappear until attempt is made to woo
Midas touch may make it like gold
It has no meaning if it remains cold
You may write anything on wall
It has no meaning g if no effort is made to call
Darkness may go only if day light emerges
Prayers may be heard only when truly urged
Anybody may wish for eternal happiness
What is use when externally it does not happen?
God may think twice before granting an access
If his disciple is not committing an excess
Truly loved life with noble intentions
It may have all its chance for retentions
Eternal pleasure and internal displeasure
Doesn’t go arm in arm and be measured
It is real urge from within that goes for test
Nothing can be achieved even if we try for our best
poem by Hasmukh Amathalal
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Wistful Words
O voluptuous lip, do whisper in my ear
What mine heart desires, what I want to hear
Love's soul in music, thy musical soul
To fill mine to overflow it full
With the meaning of love, thou soul's definition
The auger of truth our love in premonition
In those wistful words that lover's speak
I love you, I love you
For in those words thy soul and all souls seek
Life, and what's in life true….
My love, I'll say it too, I love you….
poem by Kevin Michael Murphy
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Stolen Hearts of an Idealistic Cause
Stare at me I am the one,
Who stole your hearts,
And made a run,
For something I believed in,
Romantics will fall,
Beneath any writer's headstone wall,
as the publicists never cease to surprise,
A beautiful demise,
What Irony can be found,
In an American dream,
To love a life still left to hound,
At destiny's doorstep,
What life do we have,
Other that to help those in need,
To survive the three old blind hags,
Eager to cut your string
I dare you to take a stab,
At your own beliefs in your heart,
To find my irony,
My dreams,
My needs,
They are all for you to try and bring you out of the cave,
Your puppet masters put you in so long ago
poem by Trent Delomel
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Fate's Irony
I’m deep in love, with the girl of my dreams
Who’s deep in love with the guy of her dreams
As fate would have its’ sense of irony, it seems that guy is not me
Fate it seems loves to play tricks
Fate it seems has its’ own little hits
Irony is around us all around
Like the love of the one who is in love with another
Or the love of money when money is outmoted
But love will never be outmoted, just forgotten
Just Forsaken
Forsaken Irony, Forgotten Helms
Love is lost and new love found
Or for some of those unwilling to let go
Love is lost and the soul grows cold
Forsaking love and comfort
Caring or passion
It is darkened by the past, the ironic twist of fate
This once gentle soul now is black a night
This once soul of love is full of fright
But Not all is lost, for there is a remedy,
A cure to the pain, a cure for the forsaken
What that cure is I still do not know
I just hope I find it, so maybe I can grow old..
poem by Nathaniel Sickels
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How Can I Love Again
How can I love again
When the darkness is holding my heart beats
How can I feel happy again
When the tears are washing my face
Through the years
How can I smile again
When the
sadness is stirring
Within my soul for long years
How can my heart beat for love again
When it stopped beating before long years
The meaning of love
Since the day on Is so dirty
The love that at the past
Used to have the meaning of pure emotions
Is now so nasty
The love that I have found in your heart
It's just reminding me how silly I was
When I felt in your love
You were my hero
That I have figured him in my imagination
And disappeared at once
The love has no meaning for me now
Has no place in my heart
No one can convice me
To believe again
No one can make me trust in love once again
The loneliness is my only lover
Till forever
Dying alone at the hell of loneliness
Is much better than living at the heaven of the lie.
poem by Sossi Khachadourian
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Heart Lying In Defeat
The irony of this thought will fade
And you won’t even be able to look me in the face
I know what you did
And that night I found what you hid
You said it was only a one time thing
So I sat there and watched her leave
You promised it was okay
But, I had to watch her leave more than just that day
Her body always fair and supple
But, you swore I was better
I took those words and hung on to them forever
They made my pain fade
That was with what you paid
But, my tears burned and it was such a deep pain
My soul now tattered and my heart now bled dry
You took this to far all you did was lie
I wanted it to work but, you let it die
I wanted you more but, you wouldn’t try
Our love gave me a natural high
But, what we were meant for was sin
I don’t try to compete with your ways you’re too sly
And every night those tears helped me get by
And every day those looks from you will make me last through the hour
But, the time will come when I won’t fake it
My anger will shine through
And the truth of how you hurt me will lay naked
And this irony of this thought will be a bold red
The color of all the blood my heart has shed
This is what we get when ignore lies
This how I deal with the death of our perfect life
This is what will come when you cheat
A perfect heart lying defeat
poem by Victoria Martinez
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0017 The ironic, the sarcastic, the sardonic...
These weapons of literary abuse
so prevalent in the 17th and 18th century days
of literary gents in coffee-houses
have fallen into desuetude
these amicable days
but for the sake of Eng. Lit. studies
it might be useful
to run them through:
they have Greek roots
which we should know; it keeps them tidy
in the first-aid box of the literary mind:
there’s irony: that’s from the Greek
meaning ‘simulated innocence’;
in practice, saying the opposite
of what you mean; the Greeks
used it in tragedy – the man who says all’s fine and dandy
as the black cloud of disaster gathers;
we use it more for humour; as in
‘ you’re a right barrel of laughs, Mona..’
then there’s sarcasm: in Greek, wow,
to tear the flesh; gnash the teeth,
or simply to speak bitterly;
using irony (as above) , to express contempt:
‘that meant to be funny, then…? ’
and the sardonic: Homer used it
to describe bitter, mocking laughter,
which for undisclosed reasons
was associated with the people of Sardinia..
Imagine, perhaps, a tinful
of no-head-to-no-tail sardines
able to read their label..
poem by Michael Shepherd
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Words Sometimes Take On A Own Meaning
Words sometimes take on a own meaning
and sometimes they are sharp and painful
as if there is much more to words
as if a kind of secret knowledge hides in them
that are sometimes something moving.
Words sometimes take on a own meaning
but somehow words can at times miss things
and are sometimes dependent on feelings
as if there is much more to words
when through it all love brings a kind of bonding
and so you and I are attractive to each other.
Words sometimes take on a own meaning
and daily a bond develops between us,
while you become more considerable to me,
as if there is much more to words
you constantly live in my thoughts,
while love becomes real through words.
Words sometimes take on a own meaning
as if there is much more to words…
poem by Gert Strydom
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Without you
I write words in vain,
words of which the meaning
you do not comprehend
and how to press love
into a few words
I do not really know
and you are away
and we stay a hundred miles from each other
and it feels as if
it is in different worlds,
as if every thing with time looses meaning
and I play the songs that you sing over and over
as if I can hear something in your voice,
read your poems time and time again,
as if it can bring something of you back to me
while destiny flattens me
and you run
like water through my fingers
and without you
my life is without meaning
and it continues aimlessly
and I do not know
why things at times do not work out,
why I am fighting life’s struggle in vain
and I cannot get you
out of my heart,
and cannot fight against you being part of me
and my blood is pouring, as my heart is broken
and my life falls to pieces without you
and I hope that your plans are only prosperous.
poem by Gert Strydom
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Where Do I Go From Here?
(words & music by paul williams)
If I knew the way Id go back home
The countryside has changed so much Id surely end up lost
Half-remembered names and faces so far in the past
On the other side of the bridges that were burned once they were crossed
Tell me where, where does a fool go when theres no-one left to listen
To a story without meaning that nobody wants to hear
Tell me where, where does a fool go when he knows theres something missing
Tell me where, where will I go from here
Where will I go from here
Get back home where my childhood dreams and wishes still are none of my regrets
Go back to a place where I can figure all the odds
Have a fighting chance to lose the blues and win my share of bets
Tell me where, where does a fool go when theres no-one left to listen
To a story without meaning that nobody wants to hear
Tell me where, where does a fool go when he knows theres something missing
Tell me where, where will I go from here
Where will I go from here
Tell me where, where does a fool go when theres no-one left to listen
To a story without meaning that nobody wants to hear
Tell me where, where does a fool go when he knows theres something missing
Tell me where, where will I go from here
Where will I go from here
Tell me where, where does a fool go when theres no-one left to listen
To a story without meaning that nobody wants to hear
Tell me where, where does a fool go when he knows theres something missing
Tell me where, where will I go from here
Where will I go from here
Tell me where, where does a fool go when theres no-one left to listen
To a story without meaning that nobody wants to hear
Tell me where, where does a fool go when he knows theres something missing
Tell me where, where will I go from here
Where will I go from here
song performed by by Elvis Presley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Underlying Depression
Underlying depression, have to crawl into my room
Underlying depression dont want to know about the moon in june
Outside theres a cavalcade of clowns but they're bringing me down
With underlying depression
Underlying depression and its starting in my backyard
Underlying depression, and these times aint even so hard
Lord I was born with the blues and my blue suede shoes
And underlying depression
Underlying depresslon and theres ust nowhere to turn
Underlying depression and things just seem to turn in on one
Sometimes Im stuck in the corner just like little jack horner
With underlying depression
Underlying depression and I just cant get it right
Underlying depression Ive got to fight it with all of my might
Right now I dont want to be alone
Get my baby on the telephone
Underlying depression
Have to make some concessions when everything is working right
Have to count my blessings, helps me make it through the night
Ive got love in my life as well as trouble and strife
And underlying depression
Underlying depression, underlying depression, underlying depression
Aint nothing but the blues
Underlying depression aint nothing but the blues
Underlying depression, aint nothing but the blues
Underlying depression
song performed by by Van Morrison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Can't Really Get Enough Of Love Babe
once i have it, there is this irony, i give it away,
i wish, i dream, i work to have what i do not have yet
once it is in my hand, there is this irony, i throw it away.
the paradox of feelings, i had this joy, long time ago, and
i let it go, and i wish it comes back to me, like a memory of someone
too far away, i spend life like it is not life at all, i wish death, like death is life,
like it is not like, this is the irony of my life,
hating and loving and hating and loving, until, everything is gone
i have nothing and then i feel so complete.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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