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 🍃

[h d e rushin]

Whitman changed the way poetry was both read and believed..But it was Shelly, who, writing in his famous treatise "A defense of Poetry", posits that "the mind in creation is a fading coal which some invisible influence, like an inconstant wind, awakens to transitory brightness..Love poems are so gracious in their understanding that there exists this "transitory brightness" that assuages our fears about times merciless march to unhappiness. This poem allows us to wallow, if only briefly, in the celebration that dreams are, in fact, "impossible possibilities"/ great poem my friend./ dana

[Richard🖌]

Oh-MY, Dana! 🌺
I have so missed your caressing voice and warm touch upon my pages … the special ways you have of letting a bard know he's appreciated, enjoyed, done well, that the passion of his depths are related to, and understood.

Thank you ever-so warmly and gratefully for the grace you bring to the site, and for all you share, Dear Dana ⁓ Richard : )

[Mari' Emeraude]

Wow! If I were blind and you read this to ,me I swear the breathtaking imagery would be all I would need to 'see' it. Awesome

[Richard🖌]

Just left of the up and down thumbs beneath your review, the question is asked, "Did you find this review constructive?"
My answer would have to be, "No!", Mari', because your graciously beautiful and touching words of feeling and praise have left me in such a state of pleasured gratitude that so much more than "constructive" sweeps through my senses.

Warmest, most sincere thanks, Dear Mari' … happy hugs to thee! ⁓ Richard : )

[kitty]

On the banks of Avon I too have dreamt and thought of 'impossible possibilities' when mind and body were in sinc and dreamers dream till brightest moon overpowered the sky and one begins to wonder,'Why?' Beautiful imagery. The scene you have chosen reflects a dreamy spot where this reader often sat. Thanks for the memory.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Kitty,
For drifting over to share a lovely stroll down lovers' memory lane.
Isn't it wonderfully amazing how some poetry can tug at the heartstrings in such a way it feels so real? I've always found it to be.
I am ever-so thankful we could share a lovely moment through the poignantly romantic auspices of my poetry.

Warmest hug, Dear Poetess! ⁓ Richard : )

[kitty]

to feel 'it' is to know it, dear Sir. The magic of Stratford On Avon lingers on as fresh are the breezes wispering through willow trees on the bank as swans display eternal love for each other and heart shaped images are formed. Thanks for reviving these memories! Hats off to you Sire!

[Stella Armour]

Soft and endearing words Richard, and how often something so simple can reach into our hearts and bring tears....

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Stella,
for feeling my poignant heart.

Hugs to you, Lady-Poet! ⁓ Richard

[Stella Armour]

I love gentle poetry :)

[Richard🖌]

I perceive why You would, Stella. : )

[Chris Shaw]

The photograph is wonderful and you have done it great justice with your talented write. You have created a scene of such gentle beauty and evoked the senses. I particularly liked the fragrances you introduced wafting in like a breeze through your lines. Your final stanza is so true. All things end, all things pass. This is a lovely piece of writing. Thank you.

[Richard🖌]

Lady Christine,
To receive such accolades and appreciation from a poetess of your high note is gratification beyond that which an humble bard could have hoped, but I will keep and treasure it all. : )

You are warmly welcome, Christine, and I thank you for blessing this rather tender piece with your gentle touch of understanding and feeling … it is a delightful pleasure to write for you! ⁓ Richard

[Chris Shaw]

It is a great pleasure to read you Richard. Thank you.

[marilyn 1225]

well deserved first place...
your endings are clinchers and wrenching
i see your discipline
but not sure i can copy that

your one word beginning almost like a haiku which i am not found of but that takes an analitical mind

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Marilyn,
Your appreciation and praise truly bless a bard's little efforts and gratify his humble hopes of pleasing his reader.
Hah! Reading your poetry, I am more than sure you can compose your own Free Verse pieces with equal, even more skill, than this. No one should ever aspire to copy anyone else's work; especially, not You, with your uniquely skillful touches of real life, real emotion, and beauty.

I never thought of one word as being Haiku-like … ah-hah, something new every day! ⁓ Richard : )

[marilyn 1225]

oh no not your work i just do not care for haiku too brief and at times too contrived not always though some are excellent to a high degree not comparing yours to a haiku at all

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

Oh how beautiful- I love how you speak of the breeze knowing you missed her- what breathtaking words of deep utter love and affection- such beauty in this picture you paint and the heart so lonely - very touching - 🌹

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Kelly,
Your praise and expressed enjoyment of this rather tender composition make my effort to write and share all the more meaningful and gratifying.

You're a lovely reviewer who knows how to reward a writer … hugs 'n happy blessings! ⁓ Richard : )

[‘Thoughts In Time’🌹]

My pleasure🌹

[BBP]

Really enjoyed this. You actually took my our of work and to that beautiful place instantly. You can almost feel the cool air coming off the pond and the shade of the trees.

This line cut close to my heart.....
I was amazed

at how the breeze knew

I missed you

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Poetess,
For sharing your lovely presence and gently personal touches with this rather tender piece … such a passionate connection is that which a bard hopes the imagery of his earnest efforts will gratify him with in at least one reader's review.
That particular line to "cut close" to your heart still embraces my senses … I am so very glad we've touched today.

Warmest blessings to thee! ⁓ Richard : )

[Wild Rose]

Yes the morning light across the lake
The lightest breeze
bring the touch of a departed love
Fills your heart with love from her

Oh so sad now she is not there

Full of emotoion

[Richard🖌]

Thank you most gratefully, Dear Poet, for such a keen understanding of the essence of this piece and your commentary.

Bless you day! ⁓ Richard : )

[Wild Rose]

It brought to mind a picture Crummock Water from the Loweswater end - wife sitting in silhouette against the rising sun

[McEltic]

Beautiful piece... i found myself tear searching, through memories of times missed. Used to write beneath a shade tree by the pond out back listening to the waterfall but the city put a street through and there is no serenity to be found there anymore... Enjoyed

[Richard🖌]

Many thanks, Dear Poet,
Your praise and expressed identity with this piece are, indeed, gratifying to an olde bard's earnest efforts to write and please his readers.
Sad to hear the integrity of your favorite writing place place is no more.

Blessing to you! ⁓ Richard : )