All things beautiful

I cannot put you into rhyme

You would refuse to go there

Having once said, “If you can describe love . . . . It isn’t”

And you are the same

I cannot dress you in words and do you justice

Adjectives fall upon themselves in the effort

And metaphors mumble in confusion

While searching for comparisons

Because you were the source of it all

All things must be compared to you

And beauty should have bowed when you passed

 

Your smile was never like the sunrise

Rather, the sunrise imitated your smile

And when I saw stars reflected in your eyes

The stars were made more beautiful

Some men are correct to offer the compliment

“You look beautiful in that dress”

That was inappropriate with you and I would gasp

“That dress looks beautiful on you”

The standard of all things lovely lived in you

And with a glance the sister nymphs danced

And all was well in the kingdom of my soul

 

And so it is now . . . . now that you are gone

When leaves whisper about the wind

I know they gossip of why I walk alone

Why my arm reaches for the empty space beside me

And crickets spread rumors across the night

Even the streamlet frog grunts his agreement

 Because without you all things beautiful

Depend upon each other for definition

And grow lonely in the task

And I am composed of memories, nothing more

Repeating them like butterflies going home

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

especially like the second stanza...and the twists of phrases you use...irony of old phrases.

i like the last two lines, but it gets so sad...

all this love, all this beauty...but now...

it is gone...she is gone.

"if you can describe love, it isn't"

that is an amazing line...and just leaves the reader pondering that.

love is indescribable i think.

love this poem...you are really really good, my friend.

jacob

[Persona]

A unique way of thinking, but streamlet doesn't work because it means either a small river or continuous flow, so is the grumpy frog moving? I'm unsure which context you mean this in. I'll be happy for you to explain though if I'm wrong. Once you hit the line 'adjectives' you had me. I wasn't loving the first few lines but after that I thought it was brill.

[DrD]

A streamlet is defined in the dictionary as simply a small stream. I referred to a frog at that stream. Anyway, thanks for reading and I'm glad you liked it.

[J.P. Bristow]

Haunting..painfully perfect. Time is truly a gift and somewhere lost in her minutes was not the clichéd beating of my heart but truly was the living account of what made my heart skip a beat and rendered me whole. The timbre of this was rich and lovely. I hear you and live with the same wistfulness and we will always be left with a certificate of indebtedness.

[DrD]

You are such a welcome visitor and I am truly grateful for the marvelous words you leave behind.

[Kelly Scheppers]

My heart almost broke, in reading this. The longing that you still feel for your wife resonates through every line...and every line is more beautiful than the one before.

I lost my older sister in 1996, due to complications from asthma, and every day since then has been a struggle for me. We were more than sisters. We could finish each others sentences. We could sit for hours over a pot of coffee, and talk like a bunch of school girls. Words cannot express the loss I feel, even now. "When leaves whisper about the wind, I know they gossip of why I walk alone."

I know with much certainty that I will be reading much more of you...you are a wonderful writer, and I thank you for sharing this part of your life with us!

My very best,
Kelly

[DrD]

You are very kind and I deeply appreciate your comments. Thanks for visiting here.

[MsJewel]

You are amazing. I read your poetry and I think - I have found my favorite poem and then I read another and find a new favorite.

The depth of your words touches my heart. The last verse had me in tears...
Because without you all things beautiful
Depend upon each other for definition
And grow lonely in the task
One of the best poems I've read on this site.
100/100 butterflies

[DrD]

You are far too kind. I write about my wife who passed away in 1994 and try to revive all we were within the poor clothing of words. I'm so glad you liked this one.

[MsJewel]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories. :) Julie

[Ghost of Jupiter]

I am brought to tears, for when I read a poem the emotions writing infuse into my heart...and such beautiful sentiments are expressed here. To be loved and admired like that is a dream I think all women have...and you wrapped your love in gorgeous words, which for me, is the best tribute one could offer. Again, wow... i am lost in this fantastic write..

" And I am composed of memories, nothing more
Repeating them like butterflies going home"

Perhaps the most lovely image of heartache I have every read. Brilliant work!

[DrD]

You're too kind and I am honored that you have read this work. It was enhanced by your visit.

[Cryingkate]

OK Doc, This one is Better then your best one!
It all balances out :-)
Jacob said a few things I would like to say,
However, he already said it better then I can.
This one is top notch best...esp.

[DrD]

Good to see you, Kate. Sorry I've been gone so long but business, you know? Having you around with such kind words inspires me to return more often.

[Kristina Moulaison]

Really good! Loved "I cannot dress you in words and do you justice
Adjectives fall upon themselves in the effort" and
"And crickets spread rumors across the night" and
"Repeating them like butterflies going home". Really good opening too.

[DrD]

Your visit is unexpected by so welcome. Thanks for reading and I am grateful for your kind words.

[Sid]

As always Dr. you have that way with words and when you express love it's what inexperienced people like me hope to emulate or rather I wish I could just get those feelings you express, in time...as always great write Dr.!!

[DrD]

I hope it does, Sid. I hope you find someone who deserves all you have to give. It's the sense that makes today worthwhile and makes tomorrow filled with recollection. Thanks for thinking of me and stopping by.

[.]

a shameless floriade of devotion
good job ;-)

[DrD]

Shameless indeed. I confess. But you wouldn't remember. You're 111 years old, remember?