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 🍃

[Bare trees]

The artful way in which you use your words is inspiring. Well done Richard.

[Richard🖌]

Hey, Poet!
Thanks for reading, the praise, and your compliment! ⁓ Richard : )

[Glen's not so clean sla..]

a beautiful and solitary masterpiece. thanks for sharing

[Richard🖌]

You are most welcome, Glen.
Thank you for reading me, and for your gratifying praise.

"A Very Happy 2018 to Ya!" ⁓ Richard : )

[Sami Khalil]

Beautiful, serene and enchanting. Your words are alive as your spirit. Thank you for sharing with us.

[Richard🖌]

My gratitude to you, Sami,
Thank you ever-so sincerely for your kind praise and expressed words in favor my spirit.

You are most humbly welcome, Sami! ⁓ Richard : )

PS: I thought you'd have picked a Sonnet … LOL!

[Sami Khalil]

Hahaha. You are welcome, sir.
I'm scared to get close to them now...lol
Will visit soon.

[Richard🖌]

Try this one:
http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/RichardJ/1965299/
Or, one of my many on here. The more Sonnets you read and study with your new knowledge and understanding, the better you;ll be, and easier to compose. But, strike while the iron's hot! : )

[Sami Khalil]

:::::::))))))

[Sammi]

My my my Richard this is the most beautiful sad poem I ever read and I can see now why you want me to try a free verse poem too, I am sure I can not come close to making mine as good as this one but I will try my best for you My Teacher and I know you will be kind and patient with me so I am not worried -- I love this one so much! :)

HUGGS!
Sammi

[Richard🖌]

Thank you dearly, Sammi!
You sure know how to make an olde bard feel grateful for his skills and for plying his craft with others.
Well, my oft absent student, I know in my heart your Free Verse poem will be sheer delight to read, IF I ever get to see it … LOL!
Seriously, I know you've much in your life, but you sure need to take advantage of me while I'm still around and willing, eh?

Big New Year HUGS! ⁓ Richard : )

[Sammi]

Oh I am sorry Richard for not getting that free verse poem ready as promised but the holidays and new year coming have kept me running inside out of myself, may I please have an extension on that poem and don't spank me too hard :/ if I promise to be a better girl lol? :)

HUGGS!
Sammi

[Tazeen Ahmed]

I wouldn't hesitate calling you the next "Shakespeare".
You have the quality of snatching one's senses to nature's dreamland.
-Stunning imagery
-Vivid syntax

I want to know how you syntax it so well.

[Richard🖌]

Goodness-ME, Tazeen!
Even mentioning me and Shakespeare in the same sentence makes me swoon with delight. ; )
Dreamland is a wonderfully delightful place for poets to be together … it's a place we can be free to spread our wings and soar with no reprisals.
Your imagery is a bit stunning, itself, ya know!

My syntax is derived from a place that speaks from sweet creation, nudged forth by heart, mind, emotions, desires, dreams, imagination, and spirit, while in Dreamland … wink*

Thanks ever-so warmly, Lady-Poet! ⁓ Richard ; )

[Ardra]

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.

mmm such sad longigness ... and so much beauty in your words Richard :)
always love reading them...

[Richard🖌]

I thank you ever-so warmly, Ria*
Your presence and your words touch with warmth, appreciation, and praise … the kind I cherish and need so gratefully.

You are such a lovely treat! ⁓ Richard ; )

[Great Aunt Astri]

A quietly beautiful poem, contemplating a lost love, and feeling nature's gentle sympathy. The leaves fall, but after the Winter comes the Spring.
I like the free verse, but it is still lovingly lyrical. I enjoyed reading it.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Astri,
You never fail to make me feel like I've done well and pleased you so sweetly.

With big hugs and gratefully warm smiles! ⁓ Richard : )

[Great Aunt Astri]

have a Happy Christmas. :}

[lightsong]

When a free verse flows down like a free spirit, it's then a "free verse", when the real and truest emotion flows down free, like the rippling calm water, it's then we know we have a "pure" heart, a crystal mind, the ever vibrant spirit of Yours twinkling, softly, gently, over Your ink,

"Places of dreams and hope,
of love and laughter
and impossible possibilities."
in Love, there is always "possibilities", there is always "impossible" turning into "possible", hand in hand, heart within the other, beating as one, minds yielding together, understanding, willing and trust, surrender to the glorious moment of bliss, to the wonderment... drifting into the places of endless dreams and hope.......

[Richard🖌]

What a beautiful compliment, GH, to think I have a pure heart, a crystal clear mind and spirit twinkling gently over my ink.
That's as lovely and touching as anything anyone has ever said about me … to me, anyway.
Thank you ever-so warmly, My Delightful 'Lady.
The lines you've singled-out are among my favorites in this piece, and I dearly love your poetical interpretation … gee-whiz, that's sooo darling!

Bless you your own pure heart, Dear Poetess … warmest smiles 'n hugs, GH 🔆 ⁓ Richard

[lightsong]

I "do" know You "do" have them all :) 🔆 ⁓

[Richard🖌]

"BIG BLUSH!" 😊