Eternal Spring, Beloved~Sweetheart (poignantly tender)

Free Verse … Edited and reposted, I hope some of you will enjoy this lovely piece again, or for your first time. 🍂

Eternal Spring, Beloved~Sweetheart
.
-·~•'˜§˜'•~·-
·
Our Winter’s here,
stealing away my heat,
with her cold, crisp breath.
Your cornsilk, windblown hair
like glowing streamers behind you,
and you'll always be my heart's warmth.
-·~••~·-
Summertimes …

you ever come to me,
 smiling like a happy innocent child,
arms spread wide, ready to dance
and twirl through my nights,
to drag me down to water's edge,
wearing little else than your
 “come and get me" eyes.
-·~••~·-
Except, this time, I’m not going;
you're not taking me by the hand anymore.
I’m just going to sit here by the pond,
beside the others that have gone,
and miss you now, too.
-·~••~·-
I’ll listen to the birds,
the frogs -- wind whisp'ring softly

through the reeds,
the scent of wet pine …
glorious sensations of Your warmth,
watching the sun drop quickly.
-·~••~·-
Our Autumn came …

I’ve never really been afraid of the dark;
but, I am afraid of empty.
That is what your leaving has left me;
and, I knew you would leave.
You always tried,
even when I refused to let you go.
-·~••~·-
You’ve packed your apple green eyes
and gone, now.
So, I’ll have to sit on the edge
of this perpetual-winter,
alone and shivering,
trying to cover this hole in my heart,
so I won’t freeze from the inside-out.
-·~••~·-
Meanwhile, I count the hours,
the days, my life away …
until each buttercup returns,
renewing eternal hope,
as they did in Spring, with Us.
-·~••~·-
I feel the chill as our seasons
slip off my shoulders…
away into history.
-·~••~·-
Tonight, and all to come,
I’m going to wrap your gentle,
loving memory around me
and try to keep from losing your heat,
I’ve spent our time gathering into my soul.
-·~••~·-
Then, I’ll turn my collar up
and swear-off dancing beside the pond.
-·~••~·-
Soft, salty tears overflow chapped cheeks,
gathering at the corner of my lips
await you to taste them,
to kiss them away,
but, there is only me, now …
aching, hoping, longing,
in solemn remembrance
of our....
Eternal Spring, Beloved~Sweetheart
.
-·~•'˜§˜'•~·-
·
-·~• Richard W. Jenkins •~·-
©2016

Author's Note

Helping hands are always welcomed … not one of my best efforts, I know, but it's sincere and real. 🌾

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

yes! poignant, tender and true, Richard. anyone who has suffered loss will relate too easily. a winter's wind blowing through that hole can chill to the bone but the emptiness can grind them to powder .. my pill box is one week's supply and this morning as i took my Friday AM pills i marveled at another week gone by so, seemingly quick. time certainly is relative eh!? your poem points my thoughts to the Spring just around the corner here in the Ozarks, though the sadness of loss runs through it ... so well done! great title... the daffodils that grow wild poked green shoots up over a week ago then we got blasted with temps in the teens ... i check on them when i am out with Beau and so far they have not tarnished ;) nice free verse .. i agree with you ... not your best but very honest .. hope you are well .. and your family.
E.

[Richard🖌]

Gosh darn, Gene! 🤔

Why didn't I know you'd read and reviewed this marathon poem for me?
🧐···•~~~~`;.•:*˜"!Sheesh!"˜*:•.;'~~~~•···🤓
Smart as I know you are, My Fine Friend, I'll bet you can't answer that question anymore concise than I can; though, I'd almost bet the farm we both have a genius theory … LOL!
There's no doubt that most of anything I can write you'll readily understand, and your graciously wise words of compassion and empathy here emphatically prove my case.
This is one of the many reasons I love charing my humble pieces with You.
Ahhh, Springtime, with the daffodils' sweet bouquet, my native Welsh country's flower, along with the less appealing, but flavorful leek.

Thanks a million for reading me, Dear Gene, but most of all for being a longtime friend! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Einstein Noodle]

i don't want to miss your posts Richard .. so as with so many wonderful friends and poets here at the Cafe" .. I look for you ;) ... daffodils have bloomed and now the tulips and hyacinths are poking up... i love ya man ... and my theory is simple ... we are connected .. as with all things eh!?

[Renée]

Mr. Jenkins,
You say in your author's note,.this isn't one of your best efforts.. I disagree. There is HUGE difference in writing a poem.. and writing a heart song...this is a heart song.. and it is stunning and touches the soul of the reader.. You have a beautiful voice in the written word..and even more so, when you let it free without restrains. ( :

[Richard🖌]

Oh, M'Dear Lady Martin!
Such a delightful pleasure it is to receive your beautifully encouraging words of full understanding, praise, and appreciation for this flowing little piece of sweetly poignant romance, dancing out from the fertile imagination of my mind, heart, soul and lonely, entreating pen.
Thank you ever-so warmly for disagreeing with me, Sweet Renée … it is not the kind of disagreement a hopeful bard minds; most especially, coming from a delightfully talented lady-poet. ; )
Wondrous sensations derived from the caresses of your embracing accolades, flow throughout like alluring whispers sent by a warm and gentle breeze.
If that which I aspire to compose and share is restrained in any form, it is not worthy of sharing with such an accomplished poetess as yourself … therefore, I shall not post it for you to see, or this is my sincere aspiration, as i'd not want to disappoint you … ever!

Warmest, most gratefully blessed thanks, Dear Renée … you've bade my heart smile! ⁓ Richard

[Richard🖌]

Hey, Dear Renée,
Look! Here's one of my own Free Verse poems centered, "as you prefer yours", and I've other posted, as-well … hugs! : )

[Renée]

Good Eve, Mr. Darcy, I mean Mr. Jenkins... I do hope you forgive my mistake, but your words had my head spinning until I found myself, standing upon a bridge in Bathe, England..oh dear..look at that..mud about the hem of my skirt..can you please consider the weather next time you talk? I love drizzly days, but not laundry..lol
I read your poem again..Still as lovely, as the first time I read. and I shall take a peek for more of your center free verse ( : Thank you

[Crimson_ish]

Of course now that I am online I shall forever start my reading with your poem, saying that, this poem is touching, with it's every image, every word, and every syllable. There exists something so primal and ever between man and nature that cannot be described by words but only through sensations and your poem often depict that but this poem accumulates those sensations, those affections, those relations so well.

With every word I was brooding over the helplessness, acceptance, and desire that weaves the poem into the perfection that is leaving a delicious taste of pondering upon my teared soul. i love this one so much, it's profound, it's personal, this poem shows the best of you and is surely second on my list after "You".

Such a mesmerising, hurting, splendid read, I feel the world through this one, thank you for such a sensitive poem, Richard :)

[Richard🖌]

Ya know, Dear Kajal?
A bard could compose every poem he ever conceived for such an enthralling review as this, and every review you've gifted each poem touches my core … how amazingly wonderful and special you are, your written voice is a masterful poem in itself, and how wondrously warming the sensations derived.
One of the most amazing aspects of your comments is how closely they reflect my own intents, as they flowed-out and spread upon the page.
What a pleasure it is to serve you, to receive you, to share with you.

Shame I've no adequate words to express my gratitude, except to share how much I love what you say to me … warmest hugs, Kajal! ⁓ Richard

[Crimson_ish]

Like I've said Richard, I could write the most beautiful reviews, I could string the best syllables and yet your words for me, for my comment shall always exceed with wondrous colors of summer :)

[Dave]

Richard -
So often I have felt the same sadness and feeling of loss that you write of. I so cherish the memories
that I remember so gladly and wish, perhaps foolishly, that they would never die. Never die, but in fact be renewed. I believe that you and I are kindred spirits, though I believe you write much more elegantly than I.

[Richard🖌]

Dave,
Thank you sincerely and appreciatively for your welcome words of expressed praise and understanding of this homage to lonely tenderness in heart and soul.
It is with great gratitude and pleasure I learn you believe we are "kindred spirits" … indeed, I feel honored.
That you relate to this work makes it all the more gratifying to have shared it.
Again, Dave, thank you so much for your splendid review, My Friend! ⁓ Richard

[Inject Positivity]

Oh the mesmerizing feels in the poem.... How soothing and heartwarming.... The words are flowing with magical waves and catches the heart and soul of the reader.... Soon beautiful and amazing dear sir... It took the reader to another world....

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dhiman, ever-so much for gifting this poem of loneliness such praise, understanding, and appreciation.
It is reviews like yours that gratify, inspire, and encourage a bard's efforts.

Bless you, your generous heart and soul! ⁓ Richard

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

This is so gentle, heartbreaking, and beautifully done. There are so many wonderful passages so I will not quote them...sad, and mournful...it is a heartache in words.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you sincerely, Dear Poetess, for your understanding, for your knowing praise and kind appreciation of this freed poetic emotion from my heart and soul.
Thank you, again, ever-so warmly, Claire, for reading me, and for letting me know you relate, that I really am not alone … warmest hugs to you! ⁓ Richard

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

It was my pleasure!

[Annie Gryphon]

mmmm, still the good old bard Richard ...
touching as always, i only stepped into the Cafe to read your poem and it is just breathtaking lovely and so sad. I hope she is coming back with her green come and get me eyes. And of course it is only fiction - how could someone leave such a poet ...
Best wishes
Annie

[Richard🖌]

I'm so happy to see you today, Annie,
I was feeling a bit sad, but now there's a smile dancing inside … thank you, M'Lovely Lady-Poet!
How lucky I am you stopped by to see me, to leave such warm, encouraging words for my pen and my heart to enjoy.
You're so right, Annie … I'll never see her or her apple green eyes, because she lives only in my poem's imagination.
Best wishes to you, too, Dear Annie ⁓ Richard
(PS: Did you ever read my review for your poem, "It's You"?)

[Annie Gryphon]

your memory is excellent, dear Richard, i really missed your review ...
and don't feel sad, i'm sending you warmest greetings from France, right now

[Richard🖌]

Yes, I feel them, and they are sweet and warm … just like YOU!
Thanks, Annie Dear! : )

[Calamityofgin]

Then, I’ll turn my collar up
and swear-off dancing by the sea

And i swoon...lovely sweet darlin...the whole thing. A treasure...kisses

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so warmly, M'Lady.
Yours, the review a hopeful poet waits for … um!
I like those lines you sleected, because they epitomize the poem's spirit! ⁓ Richard

[Clara]

Oh Richard, what a moving write with such lovely use of imagery and emotion.
This reminds me of how I feel about lost loves:

"I’ve never really been afraid of the dark;
but, I am afraid of empty.
That is what your leaving has left me…
and, I knew you would leave.
You always tried,
even when I refused to let you go."

Though I have to empathize and say that I know what it is like to try and "cover the hole in my heart so I won't freeze from the inside out".

The best writes are the real ones.
Thanks for sharing!

[Richard🖌]

… and, Clara, when I see your name under one of my poems, a knowing smile plays across my lips … for, the best, most rewarding and heartfelt reviews are always the "real ones", and you always leave me feeling sure yours are real.
Then, it's how you seem to relate so closely, deeply, and vividly with my own emotions … in-any-event, I love it when you've been near … there's almost a bouquet of tender affection left behind.
I hope you know You are most welcome to any of my pieces shared, and It is I who thanks you, as-well, Clara … with warmest, most grateful hugs! ⁓ Richard

[softlyfall]

Perfect. Breathtakingly aching perfect.
I rarely fight back tears when trying to read in objective mode, but...such utter sweet longing, such timeless love

[Richard🖌]

Sigh!
How wonderfully gratifying your review is to this olde bard's heart, Dear Lady-Poet.read moreSigh!
How wonderfully gratifying your review is to this olde bard's heart, Dear Lady-Poet.
I could not have imagined any higher or more pleasing a reward than this you've gifted my humble efforts to write, share, and please.
Warmest smiles 'n hugs of grateful thanks! ⁓ Richard

[annalysiar]

This poem has great detail and a beautiful flow to it.
The words flow so beautifully like silk, Just like ice cold silk to reach out and show your characters emotions.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Anna!
Such praise and appreciation as your inspiring and encouraging words express is why I love sharing my efforts.
Blessings to you! ⁓ Richard

[annalysiar]

And to you richard