Beside the pond ⁓ (wistful)

Free Verse

    

       

      Beside the pond ~

          Alone,

          I sat beside the pond

          this morning.

          Early sun ...

          vibrant in its warm flush

          of golden welcome

          came cascading down

          from treetops' glow,

          embracing grass,

          gifting colors vividly alive,

          lifting flowers' faces …

          with their honey-pollened smiles.

          I was amazed

          at how the breeze knew

          I missed you

          or was even thinking of you,

          but I’d swear

          it touched mine with your cheek,

          slid a wisp of your locks

          across my shoulder,

          and became the sweetness

          of your breath.

 

          Olive oil and rose bouquet ...

          ... it hung for awhile

          in the morning air,

          a fragrant marker

          along a trail of yesterdays,

          leading to You ...

          places of dreams and hope,

          of love and laughter

          and impossible possibilities.

 

          I almost started to believe

          I’d turn my head ~

          and you’d be there.

          Each year

          has come and gone …

          You, like fertile mana

          ever glowing, growing

          in my heart.

          It’s said all things end,

          and walking back to the house

          I sensed that coming truth,

          as Autumn's leaves

          began falling

          like tears ~

          washing around

          my feet.

              Richard W. Jenkins

                        ©2015

1st Place

"Poetry About Loss Contest"

Author's Note

Picture is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Constructive criticism is always welcomed and appreciated. : )

I was asked to post a Free Verse for a change; so, here one is … hope you enjoy.

Reviews

[Norman T]

I loved the gentle imagery that you created, that ended with a poignancy indicated by the falling leaves.
Although not normally a writer ( or lover) of free verse, I felt that this worked particularly well. You may have helped to change my inhibited views. Thank you.

[Richard🖌]

Hello, Norman! : )
It is so nice to see you here today, M'Friend, finding something to love in this beautifully poignant piece, filled with the flow gentle emotion.
Your comments and praise have certainly gratified my efforts to write, share, in hopes of pleases my knowing readers — those like You.
It is certainly rewarding to know my poem may have inspired your beginning to enjoy the Free Verse genre of poetry, broadening your appreciation a bit more, let's say. The one thing I know is, we can always keep growing, eh?
Norman, I thank you so very sincerely for stoping-in to enjoy one of my poems … please, feel free to do so anytime, My Fine Friend! ⁓ Richard

[Richard🖌]

For those who might wonder:
The six deletions above were controversial comments from a wrongly disgruntled being, who took my response to Norman's review out of context.

[Great Aunt Astri]

oooooo, oh dear1

[K writes]

I don't see anything wrong with Norman's review.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Kay✨
Your kindness is so gracious … it was not Norman's review, it something misinterpreted in my response to Norman's review that got her knickers in a wad.
Privately, she apologized and all was set straight between us … I never like to let misunderstandings go without making peace.

You're a sweetheart, Kay … thanks again. RJ 🍃

[Moonie]

The whole poem has a mystical and gentle feel to it. I love the imagery of sunshine embracing the blades of grass. "Olive oil and rose bouquet" made me almost feel the scent too.

[Richard🖌]

Goodness, Lady-Poet✨
What a lovely review you've left this rather yearning piece in homage to poignantly tender romance.

Alas, M'Dear, the site did not notify me of your gratifying words in expressed praise and appreciation, leaving me to find them on my own, and two weeks later … I bow in humble apology unto thee.

That you "love" anything about me/my writing is truly a blessing to a hopeful olde bard … my warmest "thank you" hug! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Carola]

wow !!! i'm not a very accomplished reviewer but i know what i like.
brilliant descriptions, very delicate & ethereal, in touch with nature & weaves a sort of spiritual atmosphere.

5 stars from me !!!

one of these days my poems may get to be so ethereal as yours, mine are more straightforward.

[Richard🖌]

Mm, Carola 🎶
Again, your words are like warm caresses, wafts of gentle breezes, carriers of little melodies unto a hopeful bard's ear, whispering how favorably he's done … and, well I know what I like, too. ; )
What poet would not enjoy and appreciate such accolades from an accomplished Lady-Poet.

In the early days, I learned to blend and infuse hues, colors, textures, the pull of far away stars, and deeply penetrating emotional beauty of Nature into my inkwell … there is no reason your pen would not enjoy a dip, too, I'm thinking.

Another enthralling gratifying review from You … thank you ever-so warmly, Dear Poetess! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Carola]

wow - even your comment reads like an ethereal poem, truly amazing ! 👏

[s.ms]

This is such a beautiful piece of poetry, there's a lovely flow! I especially love this line "lifting flowers' faces … with their honey-pollened smiles." Thank you for sharing this! :)

[Richard🖌]

Mm,
I like it when a reader drifts back into one of my earlier pieces to leave such warming sentiments, ingratiates my desires to write for and please -- gifts me everything a hopeful bard could wish; then, says "Thank you!" Ohhh-MY!

Makes me wonder how I deserve such bliss.
Let me thank You, Dear Poetess, for blessing my heart … I happen to love that line, too.
Hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you really do free verse justice with this touching piece of writing, Richard.
the third stanza just blew me away...the idea of the breeze and "it touched mine with your cheek"
and "the wisp of your locks across my shoulder"--
really good stuff...and even though this is free verse it is the good kind that has a steady heartbeat.
j.

[Richard🖌]

Jacob 🌿
A lovely mornin' to ya … I sincerely thank you most gratefully and humbly for your fine review.
For one of my poetic efforts to receive such a tributary from one of the site's virtuoso Free Verse artists, is high praise, indeed.
We both know some of the secrets of good, easy flowing Free Verse lies in how well imagery and metaphor are expressed, along with the timing and placement of line-breaks … I am thrilled by your recognition of these in this rather emotion-laden piece.

Again, thank you sincerely, My Astute Friend! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Ryan I]

I like the word choice of "fertile", "fragrant" and the clever connection with the imagery of the scenery described. Very nice poem. Thank you for sharing.

[Richard🖌]

Greetings, Ryan!
It is a welcomed pleasure to write for and share with you; and, it's truly gratifying that you've selected a couple of relating words to the moment's imagery to highlight and like, out of all the rest.

Thank you sincerely for your inspiring compliment, Sir Poet! ⁓ Richard : )

[Ryan I]

My pleasure, Richard

[Ahnjolie McKenna]

So very lovely... it reads as 'an ethereal world created through poetic imagination'. Every word, so thoughtful, light, delicate.. rising and falling, When our senses are stimulated, the memories are so real, so tempting to believe. Our minds and bodies are as conduits, ever keeping those we love close. Your writings always touch my heart...thank you for sharing.

Soft smiles for you...
Ahnjolie

[Richard🖌]

Good morning, Dear Ahnjolie : )
You are not only an exemplary poetess, your eloquent reviews make my poems seem like revered lovely masterpieces.
Particularly, I enjoy how you express your feelings, emotions, and understandings of my humble efforts, because you let a bard know he's not wasted time and effort in sharing his craft.
Your effulgent compliments and vivid commentary, a beauteous, heart touching poem in themselves.

Thank you, Ahnjolie, for gifting me such a gratifying review … happy hugs to You! ⁓ Richard 🎶

[Ahnjolie McKenna]

Your words are always a pleasure to me, love...
Warm hugs to you... Ahnjolie

[Richard🖌]

Resplendent*

[Dr. YumnaKay]

"like tears ~
washing around
my feet."
Exquisite ending, Richard! And an equally ethereal poem. I've always admired your skills to create imagery out of nowhere and your lovely phrasings! Reading your pieces after a long time but thoroughly enjoyed this one. :)

[Richard🖌]

Yes, "Dr." Yumna, ; )
I have been following your poetry and marveling at the progress you've made since I first taught you the little I did, and how you've taken it all and soared.
Bless you for selecting one of my humble little Free Verse pieces to comment on, and for your encouraging expressions of enjoyment and understanding.

It is so nice to see you, Yumna.
My warmest hugs of thanks to thee! ⁓ Richard : )

[Onlyme]

Heavenly reminders of golden images. Written in the mind's eye.

[Richard🖌]

Thanks for reading and commenting, Dee.