Softly ~ in my dreams... (loneliness)

Softly ~ in my dreams...

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Days turn to pain I cannot show,
nights into ever-endless streams.
Reaching to find I'm lonely; though,
I’ll hold you Softly ~ in my dreams.
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My days, now empty without you,
to nights, no peace will come, it seems;
your touch I ache the long night through,
I'll hold you Softly ~ in my dreams.
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Where's gone your shelter for my storm,
what of love spent ... in lifetime schemes,
when all turns cold, who'll keep me warm?
I'll hold you Softly ~ in my dreams.
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Who'll grasp the beauty of my mind;
then, thrill my body to extremes,
or take my hand when I am blind?
I'll hold you Softly ~ in my dreams.
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When scared, no one to hold me tight.
Oh, I shall know what life redeems ...
when all else dims, you'll be my light.
I'll hold you Softly ~ in my dreams.
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Richard W. Jenkins
©2015

1st Place Winner

FanStory International

Kyrielle Contest

                                 Kyrielle                               

The Kyrielle is a French form written in Quatrain verses.
Each Quatrain contains a repeated final line or phrase as a refrain.
There is no limit to the number of verses, but three is the required minimum.
Normal rhyme structure is a/a/b/B, c/c/b/B, d/d/b/B, etc; with B being the refrain line.
Alternate structure is a/b/a/B, c/b/c/B, d/b/d/B, etc; with B being the refrain or repeated line.
Mine is in iambic meter, composed of eight syllables (4 feet) per line, but line length is author's choice.

Author's Note

Painting: "Lonely" in oils, by Sergei Chepik
If you would like to try this beautifully expressive form and need help, just let me know.
It can be used for any emotion, mood, or topic.

Constructive (well meant) comments and criticism are always welcome! : )

Reviews

[June bug]

Where's gone your shelter for my storm,
what of love spent ... in lifetime schemes,
when all turns cold, who'll keep me warm?
I'll hold you Softly ~ in my dreams.

WOW!! I love this part, this is a wonderful write. I like your image you used as well
very nicely written

[Richard🖌]

Hi, JB 🐞

With such an effulgent review as yours, why would I want another? And, that you love anything about my humble poetry, think it's wonderful, and nicely written certainly sets the page warmly aglow.

Thank you you ever-so gratefully for gifting a smile! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Coyote Poetry]

Powerful and kind memories shared in your poetry my friend.
"Where's gone your shelter for my storm,
what of love spent ... in lifetime schemes,
when all turns cold, who'll keep me warm?
I'll hold you Softly ~ in my dreams."
I do understand the lines above. In sweet dreams. Love is forever. Thank you Richard for sharing your amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so gratefully, Dear John 👌

How in heck I ever missed your review to this sadly poignant poem, I'll never know, and it's only been 4-years until I stumbled onto it … that's sadly ironic, to say the least.

Let me try to make amends for your monumental patience by sharing how very deeply the lines you've selected are among my favorites, too … and, your interpretation is exactly my feelings, thoughts, and emotions when composing them.

What a joy to share with someone with whom I can relate … blessings, My Very Fine Friend⁓ Richard 🍃

[Coyote Poetry]

Was my pleasure Richard and you are welcome my friend.

[Einstein Noodle]

emotive poem and pic ...reading i am reminded of my own times of ragged loneliness .. and then the lessons and changes the experience gave me ... would not want to go there again for anything ..but very glad i did as i gained a little faith, patience and empathy for others through it all ;) love your poem ...
E.

[Richard🖌]

Hi,Gene! : )
When reading other's poetry, one never knows when we might come across something we relate to in a deep and meaningful way … sometimes gladly, others sadly, but when we do it most always is an opportune moment for reader and writer to bond in some unique, even special, way.
It rewards and gratifies me greatly, My Friend, to know this piece touched a familiar and positive place within for you.

I thank you with many gracious blessings, Dear Sir, for sharing a sincere part of you and for your thoughtfully meaningful review! ⁓ Richard

[Einstein Noodle]

and thank you sir! for sharing your poems, advice and friendship here at the cafe .. and good luck in the recent contests you have joined ;))

[Richard🖌]

Thanks, pal … I need all the encouragement and well-wishes I can get!
You are most welcome, too, Gene! : )

[The Girl on Fire]

Your poem was really very gripping and attractive, with a charm of its own. The part I liked best was-
'When scared, no one to hold me tight.
Oh, I shall know what life redeems...
When all else dims, you'll be my light,
I'll hold you Softly ~ in my dreams.'

And I really love the way you add those visual effects to your poems, 'cause they enhance the never-ending beauty of your ever so inspiring and/or touching words :)

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Yashita! : )
Your presence sets the air aglow with irresistibly effulgent warmth and beauty*
The encouragement and gratification from your words of praise and expressed appreciation make sharing this poem feel truly treasured, fully understood, and enjoyed in such a wonderfully rewarding way.
The verse you've highlighted is amongst my favorites, too … great minds and hearts think and feel alike, eh?
Thank you so very sincerely for the "love" you feel for the visual effects gifted my poems … you can do it, too, to add that little extra pleasure for your readers; I know they will appreciate it, like you do mine … smiles 'n happy hugs to you, Little Poetess! ⁓ Richard : )

[The Girl on Fire]

Right!!!! Great minds and hearts think and feel alike!!! Thanks for the compliment ; )
Oh, My pleasure! And yes, I'll try them out too.

[Susan 🦋]

Iambic pentameter??,thinking yes!!! lovely!! easy flow...perfect meter...beautifully written and expressed...love the imagery!!! enjoyed reading!!! wow

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Susan! : )
It is such a pleasure to receive your visit, as-well, the appreciated praise and inspiration gifted from your lovely, generous mind and heart.
See, M'Lady? Here's another form (with the easy to follow rules) you might enjoy giving a whirl on your way to further developing your already burgeoning poetic excellence … I hope you will, and if you do, please, let me know so I can read and review it for you.
Good eye for the beat, Susan … it is actually iambic tetrameter (8-syllables); iambic pentameter would be 10.
Anytime you might get an itch, let me know and I'll share whatever I can with you about poetry you'd like to know or venture into.

Bless you with many hugs 'n smiles for your lovely gift of review, Susan! ⁓ Richard

[Susan 🦋]

ah....meter!..lol I just started writing about 2 months ago...so i struggle with form...but I'm trying...now is Iambic Tetrameter common??? Italian?

[Richard🖌]

Susan,
Great! As a beginner, it's the perfect time to become properly acquainted with poetic meter, and to begin your poetic career correctly.
An iamb or iambus is a metrical foot used in various types of poetry.
Originally, the term "iamb" referred to one of the feet of the quantitative meter of classical Greek prosody: a short syllable followed by a long syllable (as in "adore" a-DORE). This terminology was adopted in the description of accentual-syllabic verse in English, where it refers to a foot comprising an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable (as in "implore" im-PLORE).
(I'll message you more on syllables and iambics, as this space does not allow for proper formatting.)

Iambic tetrameter (4 metered feet or 8 syllables) is rather common, but more common is iambic pentameter (5 metered feet or 10 syllables) is more common, as it is the base rhythm/beat/tempo/meter for all Sonnets.

[SJ Mullins]

One can be lonely even when in a relationship. Loneliness, no matter how it tends to come about is never easy. This is beautifully penned. You do have a way with words, darlin'. Good to see you back. I'm sure I'm not the only one who missed you.

[Richard🖌]

Dear Sue,
I truly (unfortunately) relate to and fully understand your words and feelings about loneliness … I think you and I see through like eyes on several levels, making sharing with you a distinctly genuine pleasure.
Your praise and thoughtful welcome back made me smile all over … thank you, M'Lady! ⁓ Richard : )

[SJ Mullins]

You're welcome

[Marianne Rose]

A beautiful form, made more alluring by your masterful use of the repeating line. In fact, I resonate with this theme so much, it is almost painful to read, for the love I share with my husband will one day be challenged by our separation in death- something I think about quite a lot, as his health has always kept him right at the edge. I hear exquisitely each challenge in being alone, and also believe that someday, it will be only in dream time that I walk with him. Thank you for putting words to something that haunts me, and offering hope that love is never lost as long as we have dreams to keep it present.

[Richard🖌]

Gee, Marianne!
You always make me feel so special and appreciated for the ardent labors spent writing and sharing my humble poetry, and ohhh, how I love it! : )
Reviews like yours are the highest gratification a hopeful bard could wish for, and that which you share from your own life touches deeply and true — how you so sincerely honor me, Dear Lady-Poet*
I love how we relate though our poetry; this is very special to me, Marianne … hugs to you! ⁓ Richard

[Ruth]

You weave with a beautiful charm. This is so endearing and heartfelt, palpable...wonderful form also :)

[Richard🖌]

Aw, Ruth!
You spoil me so sweetly … I sooo love it! ; )
Thank you ever-so warmly, Sweet Lady-Poet, for blessing my humble little efforts with your encouraging and appreciative words of praise and enjoyment … I would love it if you tried this form!
Please, let me know if you do, so I can read and review it for you.

You're so very special … warmest hugs to You! ⁓ Richard

[Ruth]

I shall give it a go hon :) Hugs x

[Neytri]

You touched my heart and I'm afraid of reading more of your words cause it might take my heart away from me.
Great piece dear poet.

[Richard🖌]

Goodness, Neytri,
You certainly know how to catch a poet's breath between his heartbeat, captivating imagination and promise.
I feel warmed by your touch, and stirred by your words … thank you, dear Neytri! ⁓ Richard

[Neytri]

You are welcome, dear poet.

[gentlekindness]

Immensely beautiful and heartbreaking. Wonderful poem.
Annie

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Annie Dear! : )

Thank you for your pleasures,
thank you for your cheer …
you gift yourself in measures
so beautifully sincere!

Warmest hugs 'n blessings to you, Lovely-hearted Lady-Poet! ⁓ Richard

[Faith]

I appreciate the juxtaposition of each thing you will no longer receive from their absence with holding them softly... Great realism and depth given to the range one can make us feel.

[Richard🖌]

Gosh, Faith 🤭

I cannot begin to believe I've missed your deeply meaningful review for "SEVEN YEARS!!!"
I've no defense, except to say that every now and again the site fails to notify me I've received a new review.
I'm so very lucky to have found your shared feelings … this piece was written in homage to a dear loved one who was lost to cancer, and I felt so strongly about it, entered into an international poetry contest.

Hugs 'n brightest blessings to you Dear Faith ⁓ Richard🖌