LIFE'S SONG ⁓ (fear neither life nor death)

LIFE'S SONG ⁓ (fear neither life nor death)

A Poem by Richard🖌
"

English Sonnet

"


Angel In Woods


LIFE’S SONG

Beneath grayed cloak the evergreens reach high
to drink from air, their needles weighted full.
Limbs supple, softer than an unborn sigh,
subdued in mist, give way to Nature’s pull.


At night, soft whispers you may nigh hear of … 
o' do not fear and turn to run from such;
for, only ‘tis the kiss of winds above
in chilling flight … upon life’s lips, its touch.


Amidst those mists and shadows lies a shrine
of vine-made arbors … gravestones for the dead.
An angel stands its guard, by Death’s design,
that peaceful comfort wroughts when life has fled.


Should thee soar high, between that angel’s wings,
hold tight with faith;
then, hear the song life sings.


Richard W. Jenkins
©2016




1st Place

FanStory International Sonnet Contest

© 2023 Richard🖌


Author's Note

Richard🖌
Picture: compliments of Google Images

Helpful-intended comments and critique are always welcome! : )

My Review

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Featured Review

I like everything about this piece, from the word choice, to its softness, and quiet understanding of the interplay of nature, life, and death -- the earthly and the spiritual -- it is so warm and comforting, something I would hope to achieve within the context of a sonnet.

Posted 7 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

Richard🖌

7 Years Ago

KL,
I can reasonably expect your poetic potential to one day eclipse the skill it took to com.. read more
Richard🖌

7 Years Ago

Thank you, KL.



Reviews

My kind of poetry... beautiful, beautiful.

I never understand why lovely poetry written perfectly in form does not get as much accolade as a lot of badly written free verse.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Richard🖌

5 Years Ago

My kind of reviewer … beautiful, beautiful. ; )

Oh, Stella,
That's easily ex.. read more
Stella Armour

5 Years Ago

Praise well deserved Richard, and a pleasure to read good poetry +(*_*)+
Richard🖌

5 Years Ago

" B l u s h * "
Dear Richard,

As I read this beautiful poetry where you skilfully and lovingly thread Nature's magnificence, the ephemeral gift of life and the soft, restful oblivion of death in one thread, I cannot but also marvel at the depth and beauty of the message you imprint upon my spirit, that one must tarry, persevere in faith for brief is the song of life and it must be sung to its fullest before earning that well deserved rest. Brings to mind, my favorite verse from the Holy Bible:
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" - 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Bless you, dear poet!

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Richard🖌

5 Years Ago

It is wonderful, M'Dear Lady Divya,
to have you select this particular piece to read and shar.. read more
DIVYA

5 Years Ago

Happiest hugs to you my friend. Its a priviledge and a pleasure to connect with you, learn from you .. read more
Richard🖌

5 Years Ago

Mutually yours*
I don't know why I thought that I've reviewed this one before? I was surprised to see that I didn't.

I believe this one of Your most brilliant masterpieces, the language, the hidden messages, the mystic and awe mysterious feelings which haunt us deep, just perfect to Your subject, there are many poems about life and death, but I don't think I ever read a one as comprehensive as this one, with Your ever own deep wisdom and gentleness, the uniqueness of this poem stands high, someone who is going though hardships can read it, someone who is just living can read it, someone who is dying can read it, and someone who is wanting to end his life can read it too... all will find a certain comfort in it, what I like the most about Your ending that to me it was like You left the choice to the reader weather they want to end their life or not, BUT You showed both ways, that in each there is solace... even on the death bed, even in death, I don't like when people judge those who ended their lives, that they are going to be punished on hell or etc... I don't EVER believe in that, they wanted to end their pains, only their pains.

There is always pain, as there is always hope, there is always despair, as there is always faith, don't fear what life hides, just open Your heart and mind, and listen, feel... see what all around of wonderment there is, Nature, the ever prim wonderment is a haven for You, a green bud that is slowly growing, it grows even at night, in the darkness, it sings softly to You, the wondrous song of living, of surviving.

a true wondrous poem, from a true wondrous Syr Poet ✨

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Richard🖌

5 Years Ago

There's scant doubt that over the years we've known each other you've read this piece many times, al.. read more
lightsong

5 Years Ago

Yes, I know it, I know that I've read it, and I do recognize/ed it, but I thought I've reviewed it b.. read more
I am wondering how easy it was for you to write this one or how long it took you. Did you torture yourself over the the rhyme of "of" and "above"? The rhyme sounds good, but doesn't look good. I'm just picking on a little thing cause I have nothing else. Upon first reading it felt almost conversational and I read it as I would a blank-verse poem. I didn't pay attention to the rhymes until the third reading. I would say your sonnet had, to me, a many layered feeling to it. I know it ceases to be a sonnet without the rhymes, but you could have replaced each end word and it still would be a relevant work. I believe your word choices were great, but I am going to have to give you a thumbs down on the your choice of font. You do not have permission to judge my font choices though, I am fully aware they are boring. If you want a good laugh, check out a picture of a sonnet I wrote when I was nineteen that I recently found among my Navy things. It's in my photos and some of the word choices are beyond me. Ah youth.

BTW....You knew this was a good poem. Talk at you later. CD

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Richard🖌

5 Years Ago

Hi, CD!
Happy Sunday, My Friend. : )
Yes, I knew this is a good poem, and I knew you w.. read more
Oh my goodness, how beautiful is this, so soft it melted my soul, loved the comforting thoughts this poem brings

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Richard🖌

5 Years Ago

Beautiful reviewing, Madeira,
Ever now and again a bard will receive such an entreating accol.. read more
Excellent poem, very well-written. One change, if you want to stick with Old English, use O! instead of the word oh.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Richard🖌

6 Years Ago

Many thanks selecting this piece to read and review, for your inspiring compliment, and for a helpin.. read more
DaRkLyDreAmiNg

6 Years Ago

You're very welcome. This is shades of 18th century poetry. None of that self-indulgent crap people .. read more
Richard🖌

6 Years Ago

Things tend to change to suit the times … some good, some not so good.
Thank you again.
As usual, your poetry is stunning. The imagery is surreal and placement of metaphors with the meter is admirable. Wunderbar!!

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Richard🖌

6 Years Ago

A huge thank you, Dear Malika! : )
Your words of expressed appreciation and praise more than .. read more
The song of life, beautiful the poem is full and weighted with thought and images

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Richard🖌

6 Years Ago

Cherrie,
You're as a sigh, so soft and warm unto a bard's hopeful desires … to share and p.. read more
I've been meaning to review this one for a while ... why I haven't yet, I have no clue, for I've read this poem at least a million times.
Richard, this is the best sonnet I've ever read. The way it flows so gently and smoothly with a peaceful vibe and dark undertone really pulled me in. I love the abstract, ethereal quality of your words in that they seem to slow time and zoom in on the small details. The originality, imagination, and skill it took to write this certainly something worth admiring, Richard. Great work!

- William Liston

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Richard🖌

6 Years Ago

"William!!!"
A "million" times? I told you, at least, a million times not to exaggerate … L.. read more
William Liston

6 Years Ago

I meant every word. This is, quite honestly, my favorite sonnet. And, though I haven't actually read.. read more
Richard🖌

6 Years Ago

William,
You truly honor me in a way words cannot adequately express, except to offer a since.. read more
A "comforting" piece to pause with and contemplate.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Richard🖌

6 Years Ago

I'm with you, and my response was based completely on your expressed personal take, even while remin.. read more
Chris

6 Years Ago

You nailed it... seems some follow "the crowd" and use the crowds' thought as their own. We - you a.. read more
Richard🖌

6 Years Ago

LOL! I guess so. : )

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3327 Views
54 Reviews
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Shelved in 5 Libraries
Added on July 16, 2016
Last Updated on April 4, 2023

Author

Richard🖌
Richard🖌

TX



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