Forbidden

Dazzled by this new man’s charms

Intoxicated in his arms

Secret passions, stolen time

Torment as desires climb

Ravished with illicit love

Ask forgiveness from above

Caught, exposed the lie

Temptation raging, old vows die

In the deepest dark of night

Only dawn reveals the light

Nothing will ever make this right

…a timeless tale, expressed in a 52-word acrostic for the word DISTRACTION, submitted to the Dancing with Distraction Challenge.

Epic, unforgettable versions of the passion, conflict, and heartbreak of forbidden love span all media formats and will continue to touch us deeply for decades to come:

Whitney Houston's iconic rendition of "I Will Always Love You" serves as an anthem of unrequited love and heartbreak. The song portrays a bittersweet farewell to a lover, as she professes an eternal love that can never be realized. With powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, it captures the essence of a forbidden love that lingers in the depths of the heart, deeply cherished but forever out of reach.

“Romeo and Juliet” is a tragedy etched in the annals of history and immortalized by the poetic pen of Shakespeare. In the depths of Verona's ancient feud, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet were entangled in a love so potent that it defied the boundaries of their families' bitter enmity. Two youthful hearts, driven by insatiable desire, dared to challenge the world's expectations. And they ultimately paid the highest price for their forbidden passion.

Within the pages of Tolstoy's masterwork, "Anna Karenina," a tempestuous affair blossomed between the magnetic Anna Karenina and the dashing Count Vronsky. Bound by the shackles of a loveless marriage and ensnared in a web of societal scrutiny, they embarked on a treacherous path strewn with shattered conventions, scandalous whispers, and the agonizing burden of their illicit desires—a haunting tale that explores the perils of pursuing forbidden love.

The Righteous Brothers’ classic "Unchained Melody" encapsulates the longing and desire of a love separated by circumstance or distance, as the singer yearns for the touch and presence of their beloved - forbidden or otherwise. The haunting melody and poignant lyrics intertwine, evoking a profound sense of longing that resonates deeply within the listener's soul.

Upon the desolate moors of Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights," a stormy romance unfurled, transcending the boundaries of time and class. The fierce Heathcliff, born in poverty, and the spirited Catherine Earnshaw, born to privilege, were consumed by a love so fierce that it ignited their souls, yet ultimately sparked a destructive conflagration that consumed them both—a tale of passion and tragedy that etches itself indelibly upon the reader's heart.

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," a shimmering world of opulence and decadence serves as the backdrop for Jay Gatsby's relentless pursuit of the unattainable Daisy Buchanan. Their hearts, entangled in a complex dance of longing and regret, yearn for a love that defies the constraints of society and marital vows, painting a portrait of desire, disillusionment, and the bitter sweetness of a love destined to be forever out of reach.

Boris Pasternak's "Doctor Zhivago" weaves a tapestry of love and revolution against the turbulent backdrop of early 20th-century Russia. The passionate Yuri Zhivago finds himself torn between his dutiful wife Tonya and his enigmatic mistress Lara, as the world around them crumbles under the weight of political upheaval. Amidst the chaos, their hearts beat in harmony, yearning for a love that fate deems impossible, leaving an indelible mark on their lives and the pages of history.

George Michael’s song, "Careless Whisper" explores the turmoil and secrecy of an illicit love affair, with the haunting saxophone melody and emotive lyrics painting a vivid picture of a forbidden romance that must remain hidden from the world.

Amidst the vast landscapes of “Brokeback Mountain,” Annie Proulx's haunting short story and the subsequent film adaptation by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana unfurl a tale of forbidden love. Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist, two cowboys bound by societal expectations, embark on a clandestine affair that defies the norms of their time. Their bond, both tender and heartbreaking, encapsulates the pain and longing of a love confined to secrecy, illuminating the complexities of human desire.

Arthur Golden's "Memoirs of a Geisha" invites us into the intricate world of Chiyo Sakamoto, later known as Sayuri, a geisha of extraordinary grace and resilience. As she navigates the treacherous path of tradition and duty, her heart surrenders to the magnetic pull of The Chairman, a man whose affections lie just beyond her reach. Through the veil of tradition and the tumult of war, their unfulfilled love shines as a testament to the indomitable power of the human heart.

We never tire of tapping into our hearts’ desires, through stories of passion and intimacy, in all forms and throughout the ages.

by Lisa Chapman

https://LisaChapman.com

Image credit: Pixabay.com 0fjd125gk87 https://pixabay.com/illustrations/heart-fire-flame-burn-love-blaze-1783918/

AUTHOR’S NOTE:

The acrostic “Forbidden” was exclusively original thought and human-written by the Author for submission to the Acrostic “Dancing with Distraction” Challenge.

During submission of the 52 word Acrostic, clicking on the ‘submit’ button did not activate the submission. A notification informed me that the content did not meet the Community’s 100 word minimum. I would not consider changing the acrostic, but still wanted to submit "Forbidden" to the contest. I then conceived of adding value for the reader by researching the most popular stories of Forbidden Love, across other media, throughout history. Thus I engaged the research power of ChatGPT.

Attribution: The assistance of Chat GPT (https://chat.openai.com/) was engaged to research historical information provided within the 10 paragraphs about epic literature works on the topic of Forbidden Love, beginning with the opening words, “Whitney Houston’s”.