There is something on my mind,
And Im losing concentration
And I feel it everytime,
That you are near me.
I could tell you all about,
Your picture at my bedside,
I should call you sometime,
And talk it over.
cos I get a kick inside,
And I feel a tingle too,
It just comes from time to time,
And it only happens,
When I think of you,
Sleeping,
When Im dreaming, when I wake up, when I think of you,
Walking,
When Im talking,
When I look up,
When I think of you,
Take me away to a land of mass confusion,
And I dont know what to say,
When I am near you,
I could stand here all day long,
Just staring at your window,
But I have so much to do,
Thats so important,
Then I get a kick inside, and I feel a tingle too,
It just comes from time to time,
And it only happens,
When I think of you,
Sleeping,
When Im dreaming, when I wake up,
When I think of you,
Walking,
When Im talking, when I look up,
When I think of you
May get the feeling that Im dancing on the ceiling,
When I get a kick inside, and my head is spinning too,
It just comes from time to time,
And it only happens
When I think of you,
Sleeping,
When Im dreaming, when I wake up,
When I think of you,
When I whisper to your picture, when I kiss it, when I think of you
Poem Title: When I Think Of You…
Author: Chris De Burgh
Structural Overview
The poem is composed of several stanzas that repeat a core motif: the speaker’s obsessive, almost compulsive focus on the person they love. The form is free verse with no consistent meter or rhyme scheme, allowing the emotional content to dominate.
Key Themes
- Obsession & Fixation: The repeated line “When I think of you” underscores an intrusive thought pattern that disrupts daily life.
- Physical Sensations: “Kick inside” and “tingle” suggest a bodily response to emotional longing, linking mind and body.
- Temporal Disruption: The speaker’s sense of time blurs (“when I’m dreaming, when I wake up”), indicating that the presence of the beloved permeates all moments.
- Idealization vs. Reality: Lines such as “Take me away to a land of mass confusion” juxtapose the desire for escape with the mundane reality (“I have so much to do”).
- Imagery of Lightness: The notion of “dancing on the ceiling” evokes a surreal, almost dreamlike elevation in feelings.
Language & Imagery
The diction is conversational, reflecting a personal diary style. Repetition functions as both lyrical device and evidence of obsessive thought. The imagery is primarily sensory—tactile (“kick inside”), visual (“picture at my bedside”), and auditory (“talk it over”).
Interpretation & Context
While the poem lacks explicit narrative, it mirrors common experiences of romantic longing: intrusive thoughts that interrupt routine and a yearning for emotional intimacy. The speaker’s conflict between duty (“I have so much to do”) and desire is palpable, making the poem relatable.
Concluding Insight
Chris De Burgh’s piece is a candid exploration of how love can dominate cognition, turning ordinary moments into a continuous loop of longing. Its free-verse structure and repetitive motifs effectively convey the intensity of this emotional state.
```More poems by Chris De Burgh
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