Roxanne Laments (hope-drama-tragedy)

Free Verse … we don our masks like actors upon the stage (good read, but may be too long for some).

       R o x a n n e   L a m e n t s       

The stony actors poise …

pausing for breath,

as seems often do

all whom

stop to ponder

that which no longer

holds accord with life ...

yet, this

is not the all of it

that moves

in Roxanne's world.

'Twas in her years,

before she came to it;

to those days when dances

knew her feet ...

of times she laughed,

and then at times would cry

in tears of great joy

for all colors,

aromas,

flavors …

the textures

in life's sunny-day moods.

Then,

sun days turned on her,

impaled her feet

to cold, hard floor --

furled her heart's wings;

but,

there was another day when,

a time

it was not always so ...

when sparrows sung to her soul,

when even clouds

knew her name

and intimately watched

as he ...

(yes, there was a "he"

for Roxanne, too)

came to share her dances,

flowers,

songs ...

her all

that had once flowed

so swift like liquid pearl

unto him --

his warmth into hers

that even clouds blushed

and silently drifted by

in sacred secrecy,

watching over

their vernal

meadow's berthings.

Like life upon a transient stage,

their parts

passionately, irresistibly

played out ...

She,

with sweet demure

He,

with all his flamboyance --

two actors scripted

into a perfect performance,

aye --

another of life's grand scenes ...

where he unfurls

her yet un-stretched wings

and her innocence

taught him

the gift,

the golden keys to love,

to life.

Now, the final act,

and as the closing curtain falls …

faithfully,

Roxanne speaks her part.

Like mottled shadows

the words drop out,

the part she never could have learned

from any script ...

"I brought my love to bear;

then, you ... died."

Richard W. Jenkins

©2018

Author's Note

The MUSES (comedy and tragedy)

Constructive critique on any of my work is always welcome! : )

Reviews

[Susan 🦋]

ok not only is poor Roxanne crying..so am I!! This lovely sweet dancer....oh how hard life can be..but really Richard, he dies! my heart... richard richard..ok...breathe lol
yummy deliciousness: ".his warmth into hers
that even clouds blushed" what can I say? mind in a whirl..
sweetness: "where he unfurls
her yet un-stretched wings
and her innocence
taught him
the gift," aw :-))))))))))

another perfect performance....and he dies!..but such is life...so the moral of the story goes, enjoy every minute of every day. :-)

[Richard🖌]

Susan,
It is a most gratifying privilege for my poems to make you cry, because this clearly exemplifies how deeply we've connected through the compositions of my poetry.
What higher praise, assurance, and inspiration to an olde bard's brightest hopes to write and share with those whom come to read his humble efforts could there be?
By those lines of verse you highlight, I know you not only grasp, but embrace each nuance in vivid imagery as they were meant as they poured from my pen, and that, M'Lady, is no chance mistake … we're on the same page.

The same to thee, Susan … I thank you you most warmly and gratefully for selecting this piece to read and review, and certainly for the thrill of your skillfully expressed thoughts, feelings, and emotions … big hugs! ⁓ Richard ; )

[Delmar Cooper]

Compliments on your mastery of sound. The subtle assonance of this poem is really amazing.

[Richard🖌]

Yes, Delmar,
There are, indeed, many repetitious consonants (sibilant) s-sounds throughout this rather drawn-out saga (as well-as subtly repeating vowels and diphthongs) that assonance serves to create imagery and emotional sensation to the scenario's ambiance.

Thank you most gratefully for selecting one of my pieces to read and review, and for the gratifying praise … bless you and your days with happiness! ⁓ Richard : )

[Dave]

I liked it! The way you start at the end and relate, then, what she experienced in the happier time of her life and then proceed to her dismay. (By God, I hope I'm interpreting this correctly!)

Take care - Dave

[Richard🖌]

Thank you immensely, Dave!
How keen of you to pick up on that beginning/ending, but as a published detailed writer, one might expect you to perceive nuances in a piece others might miss.
Seems you've hit the nail square on the head on all counts.

Keep reading, reviewing, and commenting, My Friend … you are much appreciated! ⁓ Richard ; )

[Dave]

I sometimes am filled with self-doubt. I know I have some experience, but I see you as someone or something I could strive for. Admittedly I struggle, at times to get the nuances you project in your works. I see it as a moral victory when I "get it." Thank YOU for letting me know.

Take care - Dave