In these quiet places (softly sensual)

Free Verse (lines of poetry written in a poetic voice, with no particular structure, no rhymes, that flows, with line-breaks in smooth and comfortable places)

In these quiet places …

Come, let me pull you gently into our quietness,

where wonder has etched the loveliness of

your softly alluring "take me" eyes

permanently into my hopeful,

azure blues,

where the dawns rise silently ~ gently

to mist our early skies with gold

before surrendering...

on unto the day.

Let us entwine our ever-willing, hungry fingers

in quiet, reverent solitude...

to stroll through boundless amber fields,

where wild stalks of wheat in training

learn to weather life's gloriously

gentled breath of creation,

waving as one together

at all awe-struck

passers-by.

Let me know you in your quiet stillness,

as I have known you like soft waves

fondling the excited shore, while

You are siren, I am sailor...

where the all of us is

~ Eternity.

Let me love you in your calm moments,

that I may know it is me your loins

open in aching hunger for, and

it is for me your eyes close

when your sighs breathe

and flow softly down

o'er me from your

lusty throat.

Then, in the solitude of this time, Our time...

embraced in these hushed surroundings,

let our souls meld into matrimony,

with no clergy or witnesses,

....and....

in these quiet places, let me be

the sole reason your arms,

your moist lips, and

your world

exists.

Richard W. Jenkins

©2016

1st PLACE

Blue Rose Café's

Free Verse Romance Contest

Author's Note

Photograph, from Wikimedia Commons.

This may be a bit too long for some — it is my shamelessly-exuberant pen I blame it on … LOL!

Constructive critique is always welcome. : )

Reviews

[DirectTangent]

My first reading through I felt I was an intruder. I hesitated continuing on, thinking I was callously breaking in upon the most delicate expression of love held by one for another, where two are seated, perhaps in a private garden, holding hands and with tender and fixed gaze. I witness the gently spilling out the fragile contents of devotion and I hold my breath, not wanting to be noticed, not wanting to interrupt, that I might dissolve the moment.

That is how striking I find this writing.

My second read through I was more aware of the shape of the piece, as if each stanza was a cup positioned above another cup, each runneth over, spilling in a continuous flow, to the one below and this perspective enhanced even more for me the effect of the piece.

You've placed, with a flourish, magic on a page. Very admirably done, and my thanks to you for it.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you immensely and sincerely, DT!

Your wording in review, a poem in itself, speaks with a voice few possess the knack to so eloquently elucidate the core of this work, in such a deeply concise, appreciative, relatable, and praising manner.

How fortunate for me, for the encouragement and inspiration I humbly crave, that you do, My Friend. ; )

Your creative interpretation to the shape and meaning of this piece (by far) exceeds the extent of wonderment I could have expected, but I love it!

Who could realistically ask for a more meaningful commentary than yours … endless gratitude to you, My New Friend! ⁓ Richard

[Cryingkate]

I have read this over and over several times.
I never comment though.
Know why?.............. Cause.............
Cause I faint there. Yes I faint just over yonder in the mossy lush backdrop.
I faint waiting for you to find me there....

OM Goodness! The lady in Waiting.... No I wasn't that easy.. It's just you were so good ! LOL

[Richard🖌]

Gosh Connie,
How you so honor, gratify, encourage, and inspire the thrust of a poet's softest brushes to sweep with colors across the canvas of your own fertile mind.
Not often a lady leaves this grateful bard a blank check … with my warmest smile of knowing thanks … big hugs to Thee! ⁓ Richard

[Cryingkate]

Why Thank You Richard
You do know how to sweep the Canvas and the hearts of your readers.
read moreWhy Thank You Richard
You do know how to sweep the Canvas and the hearts of your readers.
Why you even make it fun being swept away in your tsunami

[Cryingkate]

I also said:
Why you even make it fun being swept away in your tsunami

[Richard🖌]

How wondrously delightful you make writing and sharing feel, Connie … you're a bright and lovely star, M'Lady … for whom I am ever-so grateful.

[katie]

You bring the reader under the silken sheets,
sunlight breaking through the curtains.
Pulse quickens with each stanza,
as the reader can feel the lusty warmth,
and tug in one's chest.

Beautifully written, as always, Monsieur Poet!

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Katie …
Such is the pleasure and sweet enlightenment and encouragement your warmly felt words bring to a hopeful bard's olde pen … his heart smiles a joyful dance! : )

Yes, I know and share those feelings of which you so softly, eloquently, and poetically speak.
Most warming, gracious hugs to You, Dear Lady Poet! ⁓ Richard

[David Scott]

The poetic form has a breathing all its own. Each stanza begins with a full expansive intake and flutters down to a quite sigh. I felt the pleading. Sometimes the greatest declaration of love is the vulnerability of needing the other and admitting it. Sometimes...
I enjoyed this "shaped", not so free, free verse.

[Richard🖌]

Many grateful thanks, David, for taking your time to read this marathon poem and to share your insightful, thoughtful comments, praise, and appreciation for my humble efforts.
This is a great opportunity to take advantage of the perfect example of what proper line-breaks and enjambment is that is at the very heart of all great Free Verse poetry, and the effect proper punctuation has on the flow.
The visual form is not on purpose, but it built from the movement of poetic voice, much as movement of cattails, reeds, and ripples on a pond are created by the wind, each grouping leading down to a crescendo of thought, feeling, emotional apex, much as you might begin a softly-whispered moment in your lady's ear, beginning with that which catches her attention,

"Oh, My Darling, there is something I've been thinking,"
(filled with lines leading down to the beautiful, enticing finalé … ending in such as,

"you, my life,
my love"

I really enjoy how you so wonderfully and poetically expressed your feel for it:
"Each stanza begins with a full expansive intake and flutters down to a quiet sigh."

Viewed in this context, David, each reader might more easily grasp how this piece was built by its own heartbeat and voice, and as Free Verse experience grows, thus does one's deeper appreciation and love for this amazingly, endlessly flexible form.
Thank you again, My Friend … I hope I've served you well, as you've blessed me! ⁓ Richard

[Richard🖌]

Try centering one of your Free Verse pieces to see how it comes out and you'll understand what I mean.

[David Scott]

Yes have done this. It works very well. I have written geometrical shapes to give emphasis to a thought. I like it. I did reformat "Feather", but I could not get my processor to single space for some reason... will hv to work on that.

[Richard🖌]

Hm? May have to cope/paste in a word-processing application, single-space it, then paste over your current piece to make it right, or that's worked for me.
Yes, I, too, have had fun experimenting with different shapes, David, and I found that it can be quite creatively expressive, as-well, as I'm confident you have.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I gravitate to this form so much. What a sensual delight you've mesmerized us with, Richard!

[Richard🖌]

Oh, Kelly!
I cannot begin to thank you enough for your time taken to read this monumentally involved piece from a pen that seems to have possessed endless ink, nor can I find words adequate to express the sensations your praise has blessed me with.

Hugs of most grateful warmth to you, M'Lovely Poetess! ⁓ Richard

[Kelly Scheppers]

I like the new avatar, though I miss that face! ; )

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Kellly, for missing my face.
Yes, several have commented likewise, but I'm tired of seeing me for awhile, but I'll eventually put something of me up.
Smiles 'n hugs to you, Lovely*

[africa]

Great poem. Nice length. Excellent detail. Most enjoyed. Thank you.

[Richard🖌]

Thank thank you, Africa, for the nice words of expressed enjoyment, observation, and praise.
Your are most welcome, and I thank you, too! ⁓ Richard

[SyberRose]

Softly sensual just the way I like it...an exquisite poem from your romantic pen and ink of passion....Rose

[Richard🖌]

Rose, you are a sweetheart to warm me so with your delightful liking and praise … big hugs to you! ~ Richard

[Samuel Dickens]

What a romantic! Luscious words of love and affection they are, sprinkled with a bit of spice. Old, jaded, married man that I am, you've brought the youngster out of his long nap.

[Richard🖌]

LOL!
Thank you, Samuel … it is remarkable what might inject spit and vinegar back into one's old bones, eh? Uh-oh, look out, darlin' Wife! ; )

When one expresses their enjoyment and praise for one of my efforts, it always lets me know it has been worthwhile to write and share, and for this, I most gratefully appreciate your inspiring and gratifying words, my friend.

Blessings to you and your day! ~ Richard

[Annie Gryphon]

i love all these images of nature in your poetry, here is so much about water and ocean (flow and waves, siren and sailor and so on), so it's not only a poem about love, you fill so much of world into it, very nice

[Richard🖌]

Annie,
Your voice speaks sweetly unto me, to the earnest efforts my poetry inspires from my worn and weathered olde pen and seasoned ink, in such a way that tells me I've done something worthwhile for those who come to read me and relate.
I, too, embrace the wonder of Nature and all its thrills, whether human or outdoors. ; )

Bless you with warmest affection and many hugs! ~ Richard

[mattavelli]

Hi Richard, that's a lot of adjectives. Haha
I enjoy your writing so much.

"as I have known you like soft waves
fondling the excited shore, while
You are siren, I am sailor..."

Great lines here. Thanks for sharing. Matt

[Richard🖌]

LOL!
Matt, you make wonder if you might have counted them.
Only teasing, but you are certainly correct, too, and how can I be any more happy than when I see you've selected another of my efforts to read and comment on; especially, when you offer such welcome and encouraging praise.

Thank you, my friend, and those lines you picked are among my favorites, as-well … loads of smiles and blessings to you! ~ Richard : )