I'll never find a lover strong and brave
enough to try to warm a heart so cold
or save a life that no one dared to save
and hold a hand that no one cared to hold
Whose sweet caress could ever make me whole
when love and I have been so long apart?
The Lord above might save my broken soul
but who can resurrect my murdered heart?
That miracle could only happen when
somebody can revive cremated trust
it may come true, but I'll be dead by then
and this old flesh has joined my dreams in dust
But if my wish for love is not to be
why did God put such hope inside of me?
Lights in the Dark
The complete poetic works of Kevin Ranville. The theme is lights in the dark. Interpret it how you will. Like me, this collection is a work in progress. All poems are copyrighted to Kevin Ranville. Please state as much if you pass the work along to a friend. Thanks.
Tuesday, 22 October 2024
SONNET LXXXII - MIRACLE
Sunday, 6 October 2024
SONNET LXXXI - UNCLAIMED
The constant care she shows makes her soul shine
She blesses lives with her own special touch
She shows how friendship and true love combine
In one sweet soul that we cherish so much
This little piece of heaven we have found
Inside her heart where she holds us so dear
There we'll remain forever safe and sound
What's there to fear with this sweet angel near?
Yet somehow this great heart remains unclaimed
Is every man so foolish and so blind?
For when her deepest passions are enflamed
True love, for him, will truly be defined
Insanity! With all that beauty shown
How can it be that she remains alone?
Friday, 20 September 2024
SONNET LXXX - ONE LAST MILE
the odyssey of life is filled with pain
and hurts more deep than we have ever known
escape one woe, and one more strikes again
when sorrows come, they never come alone
we've battled storms beyond our heart's control
and if we stop to rest, we're overwhelmed
the weariness steals strength right from your soul
yet somehow this lost ship sails on unhelmed
but you were there each moment of this ride
and somehow, you have made the darkness fun
through all this hell, you never left my side
it makes me sad the journey's nearly done
we've only got to make it one last mile
renew my strength with one more pretty smile
Sunday, 23 June 2024
THE BEAUTIES
you can love the sun, the moon, the stars the sunsets, and the diamonds in the dew with all your heart
but you will never hold themthat's okay
they're beautiful either way
because maybe you're not supposed to own
the things you love
maybe that's why they're so beautiful
because they're free
their beauty belongs to everybody
and nobody
Thursday, 9 May 2024
SONNET LXXIX - DISTRACTION
another day is done, and here I lie
alone in bed, as darkness steals in
it's one day closer to the day I die
when Fate's sharp shears snip through my thread so thin
sweet sleep, my only comfort and escape,
that blackest void of bliss, will soon descend
and give that distant nightmare clearer shape
as I turn one page closer to The End
but if I had your loving form to hold
and felt your body's sensual caress
your warmth would shield from the creeping cold
and somehow looming death would matter less
though it may be a wishful fantasy
it's real enough to soothe this misery
Friday, 9 February 2024
SONNET LXXVIII - THE RIFT
our God created you for me to love
and He formed me to make your beauty glow
we fit together snugly as a glove
perfection only we could ever know
how savagely I ravish your sweet mind
with pretty words that feed your heart such bliss
this depth of love that cannot be defined
grows deeper still with each poetic kiss
but if you'd be love's helpless little slave
the master of your soul makes this demand
give me the greatest ecstasy I crave
and let me finally hold your pretty hand
one kiss would close the world's widest rift
if I could claim this girl's sweetest gift
SONNET LXXVII - PHILOSOPHY
So many souls are lost in endless search
and have been since their days of early youth
Just like a bird without a place to perch
they fly exhausting quests to find the truth
The doctors say you're set if you've got health
and scholars love the light that knowledge brings
The rich man finds contentment in his wealth
but all of that's just complicating things
Life's meaning isn't deep and far away
You'll never find your purpose here unless
you do the things that bring you joy each day
The simple truth comes down to happiness
That's why I joy in all the things I do
that make you fall in love with being you
Wednesday, 31 January 2024
SONNET LXXVI - THE QUEEN
she sits upon the throne of all my dreams
she enters and illuminates the night
when she descends, she slides in on moonbeams
as though her very soul were made of light
she blesses me with beautiful escape
for once again, sweet heaven has come down
a dream of perfect love has taken shape
and on her head, I place my soul's one crown
alas, the dawn brings harsh reality
my mouth is ripped away from true love's kiss
the sun comes up, and fantasies must flee
but through my tears, I must remember this:
I'd rather yearn for love I'll never touch
than let go of the dream I love so much
Sunday, 28 January 2024
ONE MORE DAY
just give me one more day
O, Lord, please, God, I pray
don't make me go away
i'd go through any pain
again and again. and again
just, please, let me remain
it's so hard to say goodbye
when there's still tears in their eyes
please don't let me die
my babies need me near
i'll stay to calm their fears
i'll stay to dry their tears
just let them hold my hand
until they understand
the things that I had planned
the things I meant to say
it hurts, but let me stay
just give me one more day
mama, it's okay
you loved us every
day
your heart was
always true
there's nothing left
to do
you always did your
best
now it's your turn
to rest
you don't need one more day
we're gonna be okay
please don't feel sad
go be with mom and dad
Friday, 19 January 2024
SONNET LXXV - TRAGEDY
so many nights I laid awake and cried
I sat around and waited for your call
as all the love inside me slowly died
and now I don't feel anything at all
you've proven true my deepest, darkest fear
and though I tried so hard to never see
the tragedy of you and I is clear:
you've better things to do than be with me
I finally gave my foolish head a shake
I saw a truth that I could not ignore
why beg for scraps of love and cold heartache?
why waste my tears when I deserve much more?
and now you're cold and lonely in the night
when all you had to do was treat me right
SONNET LXXIV - DEEPER
if my poetic words could penetrate
the way a lover's thrust brings ecstasy
they'd touch you with their comfort, warmth, and weight
and you would cling so breathlessly to me
my words would stir up such a pretty storm
each time you read a poem that I wrote
and all its sexy rhythms sent your form
to heaven with each deeply moving quote
alas, there's no such bridge for you and I
my magic words will never truly bind
your flesh to mine the way they catch your eye
my rhymes will only ever please your mind
there's emptiness a lover might make whole
but sonnets sink much deeper in your soul
Sunday, 17 December 2023
SONNET LXXIII - THE PLAN
A lonely soul's a feather on the breeze One change of wind can alter your whole fate and sometimes Fortune's fancy disagrees that one should ever meet their soul's true mate How we got here remains a mystery The tangled journey somehow wove us through Our threads entwined within life's tapestry and here I am this chilly night with you While other lonely souls remain adrift still reaching out to grasp a passing hand I'm here with you, my life's most precious gift and trusting in whatever God has planned A touch of skin can warm you in the night But holding you gives life undying light
Thursday, 9 November 2023
CONSOLATION
I hate how breathtaking the world is
with its snowy branches in a winter wonderland
laughing babies, sweet music
starry nights, warm blankets
puppy kisses, kind strangers
hot coffee, fine art
crackling fires, crashing waves
and a million other poetic joys
that only we could ever truly see
the world just continues
obstinately, obliviously beautiful
as if you're not even gone
Tuesday, 26 September 2023
GRAY
I wrote a lot of poems
thoughts captured in time
pulled from my soul
and given voice, and life
they make the world more beautiful
but a daughter is poetry
that writes itself
they find their own soul
and voice, and life
they make the world more beautiful
all you have to do
is get them started
leading the way
being you
Friday, 18 August 2023
BOATS
they found their way by each other's light
Friday, 19 May 2023
EVERYTHING IS A MIRACLE
Babies are a miracle.
Healing from heartbreak and loss is a miracle.
Recovering from illness or addiction is a miracle.
People turning their lives around and making things right again is definitely a miracle.
Overcoming flaws and growing as a person is a miracle.
Reaching your life’s goals is also a miracle.
Seeing your dreams come true is a miracle.
Life itself is a miracle. Simply being here for the short little time we have requires countless unseen miracles that God takes care of every single day.
And flowers are a miracle.
I planted some flowers today. For now, there's only dirt. But I hope when they bloom and stand tall in the sunshine, my heart will have learned a lesson as beautiful as they are: that everything is a miracle, but miracles take time. Nothing is instant, overnight, or automatic. Miracles take time, hard work, and most of all, patience and love.
Friday, 12 May 2023
SONNET LXXII - HEART ATTACK
she walked right out the door and disappeared
the way she'd done a thousand times before
and sure enough, exactly as i feared
my heart just couldn't take it anymore
the sirens raced me through a scary ride
but my old soul was wounded worse because
she didn't rush to be there by my side
when she was told exactly where i was
i guess all vows of love have now decayed
she hasn't even tried to text or call
through all the times my trust has been betrayed
this heart attack has hurt me most of all
she doesn't care if i live or i die
i guess it's finally time to say goodbye
Sunday, 26 March 2023
SONNET LXXI - BROKEN
You swore you'd never break my heart again
you vowed to God you'd stay here by my side
not even three days passed us by and then
you vanished and your vows to heaven died
But no one's perfect, so I forgave you
a thousand times, and every time you failed
you turned around and stabbed my poor heart through
and in the end, True Love has not prevailed
Perhaps the Lord above can understand
why you'd abuse a heart that loves you so
but this is not the life that I had planned
so I am forced to finally let you go
I used to pray you'd come back home to me
But now I need the strength to set you free
Saturday, 25 March 2023
SONNET LXX - SECOND CHOICE
A child needs the love and care of mom
But sometimes monsters rank a little more
and though it seemed the choice was really dumb
She always let him walk back in the door
And later on when my heart tried to love
I'd bare my soul and lay down all my trust
But someone else was always placed above
and my poor soul was trampled into dust
Now once again, this brutal game's replayed
I know exactly how it's gonna end
I'll be replaced, abandoned, and betrayed
But for a while, at least I can pretend
I'm second choice since I was but a youth
But still my heart won't face that bitter truth
Sunday, 12 March 2023
SONNET LXIX - RECIPROCITY
Though this configuration might look strange
it satisfies all needs we lovers lack
as we enjoy the prettiest exchange
in giving and receiving love right back
This mutual affection that we share
is everything that love's supposed to be
No other ecstasy can quite compare
It's perfect in its reciprocity
But you make it so tough to focus on
the happy bliss I'm trying to return
With every move you make, my mind is gone
your lovely gifts I'll never fully earn
Infinite pleasures loop round this sweet kiss
If only all of life were pure as this
SONNET LXVIII - BLASPHEMY
My heart is broken and I'm so confused
I cried out to the Lord in tearful prayer
Please answer me, O God! But he refused
It's almost like He doesn't really care
A puppy lost who gives the slightest yelp
is quickly saved and given full reward
but when I need a little bit of help
my desperate cries are totally ignored
And yet if I commit the slightest crime
if outside of His will I slightly stray
I'm damned to burn in hell for all of time
this absentee Father, I must obey
I might as well just pray to a brick wall
At least it won't condemn me when I fall
Saturday, 11 March 2023
SONNET LXVII – THE CULPRIT
Beneath my wisdom’s wild warning screams
my deafened heart decided she’s the one
She seemed to be the woman of my dreams
but then she walked away, and now it’s done
I didn’t
want to go through life alone
I fell too
quickly for a pretty friend
But loving someone
who’s not fully known
can only bring
disaster in the end
Despite what my bruised ego might proclaim
I know who truly caused this misery
I’m not too blind to see who bears the blame
the one who shattered my whole world was me
The lover who forsook me played a part
but I’m the fool who truly broke my heart
Sunday, 26 February 2023
SONNET LXVI - THE HINT
I cried out to the heavens up above
but so far I have heard not one reply
why every single girl I’ve tried to love
soon leaves me to be with some other guy
But then one day a woman came along
who made me feel so safe and warm inside
She offered me a love so very strong
She swore that she would be there ‘til she died
So finally, I gave my heart away
and of course that love was quickly wrecked
I should have known that she would never stay
‘cause what the fuck did my fool heart expect?
I hope the hint gets through eventually
The gift of love just wasn't meant for me
Tuesday, 14 February 2023
SONNET LXV - THE MONSTER
Our fate is full of pain and endless strife
a monstrous foe we can't seem defeat
We're never sure of anything in life
except that we're in love so bittersweet
We dream of being one against all odds
though life itself may snatch that chance away
Such bliss is only worthy of the gods
and we are merely mortals, made of clay
But if this time it's not our destiny
and to another life our soul is hurled
we'll find love there, or fight on endlessly
to finally conquer Fate in some new world
Though we can only kiss in sweetest dreams
this tragedy's still beautiful it seems
Wednesday, 8 February 2023
SONNET LXIV - THE WOUND
You say you truly love me, but you don't
True love would never cause me so much pain
You swear you're gonna change things, but you won't
Before the tears have dried, I'm hurt again
I know to you this notion seems absurd
But your true heart is unmasked by your deeds
An action shouts much louder than a word
A wound that you amend with lies still bleeds
But you don't even know what true love means
It isn't just some tingle in your heart
True love is where all life and truth convenes
A bond where lies could never play a part
I dearly wish these vows you made were true
My foolish heart still wants to be with you.