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 🍃

[Pushkar Prabhat]

WoW!!!
this is beautiful Sir........
could feel the emotions conveyed.........like my own....
i loved it!!!
:)

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Pushkar,
It is my pleasure to write and share with you my humble verses of romance and sadness.
Your praise of and connection with the essence in my words is the kind of gratification a poet looks for from their readers, to inspire their further efforts, and to make them smile.
Many happy blessings upon you, My New Friend! 〜 Richard

[Pushkar Prabhat]

you are most welcome Sir..........looking forward to learning a lot from you!!! :) :)

[A.R Grande]

"Olive oil and rose bouquet ..."
Honestly i wasn't paying that much attention while reading,until this line. For me that phrase was more beautiful than the poem itself :)

[Richard🖌]

You're easy to please, but your comments had me going back to re-read this piece, and I must agree that it stands-out as one of the poem's highlights, and I must agree that it is beautiful, indeed.
Thank you for stopping by for a read, and for leaving your lovely gift of inspiration! ⁓ Richard

[Shivai]

I could literally feel as if I were walking beside you! You are amazing! I loved it!
-Shivai

[Richard🖌]

Thank you every-so warmly, Dear Shivai, for selecting this romantically sad little poem to read and love, and for such inspiring praise … remarkably, I can feel your presence, too … smiles 'n hugs to you! ⁓ Richard

[Relic]

~I have no criticism to add. This is a beautifully written poem that expresses emotion and is so well crafted from the photo all the way down the page. A pleasure to read.~

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Tim!

I am so very happy you selected this little Free Verse to read and review for me, and your praise is gratification of the kind that lets me know my earnest efforts have been enjoyed and worthwhile, as I wished they might.

Gifted from a poet of your caliber lends your comments even more value to my hope and need for encouragement … again, thank you most gratefully and humbly, My Fine Poet Friend! ⁓ Richard

[Relic]

You're quite welcome Richard. I'm sure you are an inspiration to many here. You are to me.

[Richard🖌]

I most humbly bow.

[Lydia Shutter]

Your words are a magic carpet transporting us to the scene. The emotions are whisper soft and very real. Great personification of the leaves. You touched me with your words. Lydi**

[Richard🖌]

Awww, thank you Dear Lydi,
Your words to me, a dreamy poem themselves, and such praise dances all through me like a flitting fairy, sprinkling glowing dust inside my every place … ummm!
T'would seem we "touch" one another warmly with our words, eh? ; )

[Lydia Shutter]

That's what poetry is supposed to do.

[Richard🖌]

I know … LOL!

[Kelly Scheppers]

You capture your reader from the opening line, and hold them attentively, like an embrace. You've assured me, in the reading of this, that I am not the only one who has sensed the overwhelming presence of another, that indeed I would turn around, and they would be there.

Perhaps, it was the lovely willow that inspired this, but I believe its just in the nature, of who you are!

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so warmly, Kelly.
Few (I think) know firsthand this experience, and even fewer have a sense of me the way you seem to.
The willow did inspire me, in this you are correct, but you are equally so, in that it came from a real place within, and I very much like that you see this.

[Sheryl]

This is so detailed I felt as though I was right there with in the scene with you, I would
love to see you write more free verse. This is an exceptional piece Richard and very
inspiring read over and over again. me

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Sheryl.
On your request, I shall make it a point to write more poetry in the Free Verse form.
Hugs 'n blessings to you! ⁓ Richard

[~]

Thank you for taking us with you on a solitary stroll full of great imagery that whispers to the senses.

A poem that takes us on a journey to the heart of the speaker, full of longing, aching and desire for reunion.

Alas, as the leaves fall, the memories descend.. The personification used brings an idyllic feeling to the poem engulfing senses and sinking the reader deep in thought.

lovely as usual :)

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, moonskittles.
Your take on this Free Verse poem more than gratifies my efforts to write and share it.

Bless you! ⁓ Richard

[John Alexander McFadyen]

You use emotion as oil paint Richard. This is a fine masterpiece and without rhyme you are freer to express such longing and passion in ink.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so graciously, John, for your wonderfully appreciated and encouraging remarks on this little number, and most certainly for the gratifying praise.
Yes, Free Verse has its easier to compose in aspects for most, but for me, there seems to be little difference in ability to express better in one over the other, but it has taken literally thousands of poems and many years practicing to get to that level, and most do not feel,obliged (I guess) to put forth that kind of effort and dedication … then, there is always the different potentials each of us possesses from the onset that can make a difference in whatever form, genré, or style one gravitates to.
Hah! We could discuss poetry (I suspect) 'til the cows come home, eh, My Fine Friend?
Thank you most sincerely, John! ⁓ Richard