The Nectar of Memories: A Journey of Attachment, Separation and the Intoxicated Memories Left Scattered Behind

By Narayan Persaud

I looked at the mirror within

to see who looked back at me

I thought for sure I would see myself

who else could it be

but the more I look the more I see

you staring right back at me

Your genuine sweet smile

that which is visible from a mile

the blissful twinkle in your eyes

oblivious to anything else under the sky

your lips beckoning me

the more I look, the more I see

The sunlight reflecting off your hair

like an ocean in which I long to dissolve

the warm glow of your skin

made me forget when it all begin

All reflecting back on me

making my heart warm and soul free

I looked at the mirror within

to see who looked back at me

I thought for sure I would see myself

who else could it be

But the more I look the more I see

your image that seeped into me

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Apr 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781638291121

Narayan Persaud

Born and raised in Guyana, South America, of an East Indian ancestry, Narayan Persaud moved to Canada, where he had his higher education. Though he has been writing poetry since his early years, it was not until later that he kept his writing as a collection. This collection, which started out as writing to entertain his lover, matured into writing to heal himself from hurt. These poems have evolved as a record of the various emotional highs and lows experienced in the journey. The passage of attachment, separation, and a celebration of the permanence of memories. Connect with the Author: Email: [e-mail]

Book preview

About the Author

Born and raised in Guyana, South America, of an East Indian ancestry, Narayan Persaud moved to Canada, where he had his higher education. Though he has been writing poetry since his early years, it was not until later that he kept his writing as a collection. This collection, which started out as writing to entertain his lover, matured into writing to heal himself from hurt. These poems have evolved as a record of the various emotional highs and lows experienced in the journey. The passage of attachment, separation, and a celebration of the permanence of memories.

Connect with the Author:

Email: [e-mail]

Copyright Information ©

Narayan Persaud 2023

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

Ordering Information

Quantity sales: Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address below.

Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication data

Persaud, Narayan

The Nectar of Memories

ISBN 9781638291114 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781638291121 (ePub e-book)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022921809

www.austinmacauley.com/us

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers LLC

40 Wall Street, 33rd Floor, Suite 3302

New York, NY 10005

USA

[e-mail]

[phone]

Acknowledgment

Thanks to my friends for the love, inspiration and encouragement in this book.

Caresses, expressions of one sort or another are necessary to the life of affections, as leaves are to the life of a tree. If they are wholly restrained, love will die at the roots.

– Nathaniel Hawthorne

Author’s Note

I love writing and have done some poetry since I was a teenager. But never took it seriously until later, when I fell in love, and the emotions flowed. To make her day, I wrote short verses of poetry for her. Later on, when our relationship ended, what started out as writing to entertain my lover, continued as writing to heal myself from a broken spirit. This collection has evolved as a record of the various emotional highs and lows I experienced. The Nectar of Memories is my second collection, following Perceptions of the Heart.

When I write, I write alone, and when you read, you read independently. In my aloneness, I created stories in my imagination. When you read in your aloneness, I hope you can uncover your own pieces as you try to find my story. I am proud that these poems are not about hate and anger but the exquisite taste and memories of the experience of being in love.

Readers will gather that there is a common thread that runs through. It is better to have loved and lost than not loved at all. If we fail in love, we should not be angry or feel victimized but be thankful for the blessing of having tasted love. If we cannot be with the one we love, cherish the memories, hold on to them, enjoy them, and live with them. We still walk away with something valuable. A realization that our souls are interconnected not only in this life but also in past and future lives. And that whatever happens in our lives and relationships are part of a flow, a current which we must not go against but allow ourselves to flow with as actors and observers in the drama of life. That life’s events are destined, written by the higher power. Everything is already scripted. The movie of life has already been made and now unveils itself. We can’t change anything, but we can enjoy it.

Now I am awake as I walk this place

I wonder, who I am

from where did I come

where have I walked before

and with whom did I journey

what is my mission

is this life a message, a punishment, or a gift

is it a projection of my mind, an illusion or real

am I the one who chooses, or am I being directed

is everything that happens here predetermined and written

or do I choose and write my own path

Her Cup of Life

Tiptoeing through the dew drenched

fields of lonesomeness

soft footsteps like a young deer

wandering in its quest to leave the edge of the night

through the thick blanket of mist

attracted by the lonesome harp of my heart

carrying a warm glow in her bosom,

and a cup of sun offering in her hand

love passion crossed my cold path

and grabbed me by the rope of my soul

In the grey, cold, stillness of daybreak

while nature exhaled its frosty breath

as the sun torch an opening through the clouds

perhaps to steal a glimpse of her bloom

travelling through the depths of time

with the grace of an angel,

love gentle steps came upon me

She looked down upon my limp body

then turned to the sun god

offered her gift from the cup she carried

then she lowered herself to me

I can see the mist of her breath

slow breath she exhaled and I swallowed

each embedded itself deeper into my core

and strengthened my belief in the realization

of my destiny

as I surrendered my body to her

and she weaved her web around my mind

Her spirit like the embers of a fresh fire,

ignited my soul with zest and great desire

her soft hands of silk brushed my eyes

her body she offered as my blanket

Her touch sent waves of warmth through my body

a sleepy coziness surrounded me

Her eyes were deep and mystical, held the magic of many worlds

Spellbound I saw aspirations and places

that I had never seen outlined before

except for in the eyes of my mind

Our eyes locked each in a tight embrace

her luminous gaze pierced into my soul,

intimately penetrating my core with intense divine madness

her quietness enveloped my energy as I sank in her ocean of calm

wrapped in the secure fold of her arms

drawn to the innocence of her devotion

I surrendered to my strong and subtle inner quest

and journeyed to the depths of her sweetness

Her perfumed breath mixed with mine

every breath inhaled anchored me to my stronger self

exhalation rid me of my fears and insecurities

Gently rocking me forward in my future,

and backwards in time of my childhood

she looked me straight in the eyes

And in her eyes I was displaced in a new place

where I saw my future off-springs

my past ancestors all in one place she bring

A million candles lit her face

her glance filled my heart with anticipation,

her voice was peaceful music

Cradling my heart in her hands, my head on her breasts

with incense on her breath, she offered her being to me

I became drowsy as I let myself go

dissolved in her being as she seeped into mine

I found comfort in the fragrance

peace and reassurances in her touch

Lost in the allure of her beautiful mind

loving her was easy to find

Cast down the straight and narrow lane of love

unable to see anything else, I was mesmerized by her charm

and rested in the endearing of her arms

like a butterfly sitting on a summers crop

loving her I could not stop

Not wanting to leave, I was comfortable in her presence

Nothing or no one else mattered,

for she became my world, my love, a new life, a rebirth

a new enhancement to my senses

lost like a child in a cosmic world

this blissful experience of setting my eyes on her

like watching a river as it merges with its ocean

the impromptu fusion, inspired in its flow

catering to all the moods simultaneously

She became my cup of life, from her I drank my fill

from her I doused all my fires, all my yearnings

my fears were conquered, my insecurities dissipated

as I fed of the nectar from her cup of life

I recall her tiptoeing through the dew drenched

fields of lonesomeness

soft footsteps like a young deer, love passion crossed my cold path

and grabbed me by the rope of my soul

the impromptu fusion, inspired in its flow

catering to all the desires simultaneously

Her gaze made me feel like her eyes just looked for me

Our eyes locked each in a tight embrace

her luminous stare pierced into my soul,

my essence seeped into and mingled with her

while my mind retreat to the silence

my senses became oblivious to the surrounding

my destiny infinitely tied to hers,

my life filled with her nectar

as I nurture the thought that my life and love will materialize

from a mere dream and stretch into reality

***********drop of nectar**********

If you are lucky to find love, hold on to it with both hands. Put your heart, body and soul into it. Be loyal and be ready to make sacrifices. You see, life, love and happiness has its own challenges. So be ready to face the hurdle. They only serve to add dimension to your life and strengthen your love bond.

Endless Boundary

I entered your life abruptly

my eyes fell on you and I saw

that which before was only a figment of my imagination

I saw the world in a new way

in an instant all thing of the universe reflected light

all the colors became provocative hue

as grace abounded from your unearthly elegance

I held your hand, and felt the caring

and the warmth of your essence immersed in a spread of love

though soft and gentle, yet firm and robust

I looked into your eyes

and saw the missing pieces of my being

At night when I lay my head down

thoughts of you envelope my mind

and brings restful contentment

In the mornings when I awake,

your memories are the first remnants of the night’s dreams

the first brilliant rays of the morning light

breaking through the fruiting orchard of my desires

The warmth of my morning coffee

reminds me of your touch

you linger on the rim of my cup

and eagerly kiss my lips with every sip

You enter into my world like a divine

your smile, like soft rustle of the autumn wind,

brings peace

Your simplicity bring definition, contentment and purpose

your spirit, like a beacon shows the path

through the harsh terrain of life

you became my companion on this journey,

you eased my pain and banish my worries

you lighten my load, released my shame

fuel my spirit as you sounded my name

You are the breath on the tune

of the music that I sing along to

the drums that shake the fibers of my body

the flute that calms the seas of my mind

You became the reward of my living,

the garden through which I wander

the blooming wild flower that captivates my eyes

and their perfume which permeate my breath

Your tears like innocent snowflakes

that fall in the dead of a winter’s night

shimmering as it passes the light of the streetlamp

your voice like serenity after a winter’s snowfall,

cold yet warm and secure

You are the shadows that walk with me on a moonlit night

the stars that wink and flirt with me from afar

the memories of childhood and the fantasies of my youth

You are all that matters, everything in my world

my endless boundary that I am contained within

My eyes found you and I saw the world in a new way

in an instant all thing of the universe reflected light

and the colors became bright

even I saw the real colors of myself

awash in your hue

***********drop of nectar**********

We must remind ourselves that life and love is not only about receiving. It is also about giving. In relationships, we have to learn to give. If both parties give, then logically both will receive, and both will be happy. Focus on giving.

In the Garden of My Mind

In the garden of my mind you often sit and spend your time

sitting on a bench a smile on your face

fascinated by the songs of the birds

arms outstretched, inviting the butterflies of our love

Letting your hair down in the warm sunlight

strolling lazily through the lush green of my life

bracing your cheeks to the gentle wind

as the clouds of our romance sail across the blue sky

Dipping your feet in the pond of my thoughts

making ripples across my mind

playing hide and seek with the frogs that leap

from the water lilies

of this endless floating garden of time

You caress my heart with kind tenderness

cheer for me with such passion

you care for me with all earnest

as you sway to the rhythm of my heart

In the garden of my mind where you dwell

your presence nurtures the flowers that bloom

their perfume emanates only from your breath

their colors from your gaze

In the garden of my mind where you reside

you are the main attraction, the centerpiece,

the most desirable

the source of light and energy for all that is there

I fill you and you fill me and nothing else matters

Without each other we are nothing

and when you are not in my thoughts

I would have died for those brief moments

for you are my life,

the other half that makes me whole

the water that nourishes, the air which sustains

the thoughts which set me in motion

the flame that keeps me warm

you are that which is beautiful within me

In the garden of my mind

you often sit and spend your time

sitting on a bench a smile on your face

fascinated by the songs of the birds

arms outstretched

inviting the butterflies of our love

***********drop of nectar**********

When two people are in true love, space becomes irrelevant. It does not matter if their physical bodies are separated by an ocean or by a mountain range greater than the Himalayan. Because they dwell in each other’s heart, they are always together, no matter the distance in-between.

You Are

Who am I

am I lost or am I finding my way

what am I doing here

where have I been and where am I going

is this an illusion or is it for real

should I try to figure the answer to these questions

or will the answers come to me

I walked into your life and my life dissolved

my arbitrary identity diffuse, my beliefs reconditioned

the impure parts of me burnt by your fire

my dullness rendered irrelevant

the colors refreshed in your mirror

you are the one in whose arms I sleep

and dream the dreams that you dream

the sleepy gap between waking out of a dream

and falling back to dream again

You have been the nourishment for my soul

the warmth in my hands as I cup my morning coffee

the anticipation of the first sunlight on a warm spring day

the moist that comes to the eye at the movies

You are the smile on my face after a lovely dream

the lone canary, perched high in the tree

taunting nature with its song

distant inviting waves of the ocean,

mixed with the wind in the palms

You are the contrast of a cluster of flowers

in full bloom by the wayside

confidently holding your head high

giving of your colors for all to see

swaying your hips at me

dancing to the tune of the breeze

finding a niche in the wild by the sea

you are the gasp of fresh breath after a deep kiss

the calm after the love fire has settled

the tenderness after desire has met content

the joyful pleasures of rules broken

You are the serenity of lover’s footprints

in the fresh snow cut across the open lazy field,

walking hand in hand

conversing in silence on a cold frosty morn

finding warmth in each other’s soul

You are the shifting sands under my feet

as the waves break on the shore

and spreads itself out like a fresh blanket

caressing my feet and washing away the sand beneath

you