I speak to thee of Love ⁓ (imagery shared)

Prose Poetry (of thoughts, feelings, emotions spoken to an imaginary lover) something a little different from me … I hope it's okay.

   You are comfortable

   in a thin, loose cotton dress,

   on a soft-cushioned,

   white rattan chair,

   me cross-legged on the grass

   close in front of you …

   the way I sit

   when writing poetry.

"Now …

   I ask you to close your eyes,

   imagining us in this moment ~

   sitting calmly, relaxed, at ease,

and listen quietly ~

to my soft words."

The golden retriever, Sandy, laying 'longside us, too … we’re beside my pond

beneath the willow, where I daydream, contemplate, and compose poetry …

the breeze is warm and gentle, the sky clear blue, cattails dancing slowly

to a gentle wind’s rhythm, swaying rushes whispering their secrets,

and I begin to warmly, softly speak:

“In what I’m about to share with you, I am compelled by love.

"In my world ~

   in my mind, heart, and soul,

   in my entire being

   there is no limitation to love.

   Its variety, depth, place,

   or in how it is felt, born into being,

   and for every instance, circumstance,

   emotion, desire, need, and yearning ~

   on and on,

   there is a place for love to dwell,

   to breathe, to soar,

   to be felt and embraced ~

   Eternally,

   love is endless and indefinable;

   it cannot be contained by ideals,

   morals, religion, dogma, or philosophies …

   nor, can it be made to fit, to be contained

   into or constrained by

   systems or beliefs."

There will never be a limit to love, and everyone, anyone,

even animals like Sandy,

sitting and listening quietly there beside us, can possess, embrace,

and feel love

in her own ways, at any time, in any circumstance, for a moment,

a day, a week, a year, or a lifetime,

and no one can tell love when or how to come or when to go,

and certainly not how to feel it or how it should feel,

and what its effects should be.

"This is but a small part in

my feeling of love,

and there is endlessly more

I cannot convey by word,

and when I say, 'I love You,'

it is not contingent

or dependent

on your thoughts or beliefs,

but upon the essence,

the degree of how it touches

envelopes, and invites me

into its glorious realm.

With all my dedication

I shall keep it just as it is,

making sure that nothing

deprives me of it …

Besides,

I believe the heart decides

who it loves, in what ways,

and how deeply …

not you or I, nor anyone,

or anything else.

Simply put,

My Beautiful Darling,

I’ve no choice, but I can choose,

as can You,

not to share love’s compelling forces,

and to me, this is the worst,

most painful,

most devastating injustice

of them all;

nor, is it possible

that I control my dreams,

their content,

or who accompanies

me in them."

   I stand, lean over,

   cup your face gently in my hands,

   kiss your eyes, your cheeks,

   your mouth as softly, lovingly,

   and longingly as is possible for

tender, yearning lips to tell ~

what a heart can feel!

Richard W. Jenkins

©2017

Author's Note

Sometimes, the heart yearns to speak freely with its own voice, directing the mind and pen.

(picture courtesy Google Images)

Please, feel free to offer constructive critique or helpful comments. 😊

Reviews

[Angelheart1]

My dear Sir, you have allowed your heart to speak freely of Love through the words shared here. You have also painted a wonderful vision that brings the reader into the moment with you, as I found myself sitting in that white rattan chair with Sandy right there beside me and you sitting cross-legged before me while reading this very lovely piece of prose poetry. Thank you Sir for allowing me to read your special thoughts/words about Love, you are most kind. Angelheart

[Richard🖌]

Beautiful, AH!
Another wonderfully rendered review the site let slip by me without notice.read moreBeautiful, AH!
Another wonderfully rendered review the site let slip by me without notice.
Your wise, thoughtful, relatable words of love and enjoyment ring true, and when applied to this poem, truly spark a warming glow.

Thank you sincerely, Dear Poetess, ever-so warmly! ⁓ Richard : )

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

The lips and heart become one in the depth of love- it is, just, it is all there everywhere- that invisible connection one sees with the heart and floats aimlessly between here now and eternity- nothing can express or explain the ominpotent omnipresent structure volume or shape of love - explodes ignites softly touching places like never before taking you places you never knew existed- the connection between two- is for eternity🌹Beautiful true and never understandable until experienced- you have painted heaven on earth🌹

[Richard🖌]

Ah, Dear Kelly🍃
Your second review for this lovely piece … how inspiring and rewarding is that for an olde bard to be happy and grateful for!
Your words always convey a rich touch of wondrously loving bouquet for the heart to dance upon.

I cannot thank you enough for such an honour bestowed this humble poet's words … warmest, most grateful hugs to You! ⁓ Richard

[‘Thoughts In Time’🌹]

And beautiful words they are- 🌹

[kitty]

Love is the entity that lives and is free. . . never will it subservient be. Like the gentle wind that passes by ~ must never be held captive or be confined by thee. Seek not to tie it down or bind it to any one place or heart but let it roam and be that vital part of our universe. Thank you for sharing these sentiments with us m'Lud!

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Kitty,
For your gentle words of embracing wisdom and understanding, shared beneath the auspices of this rather sweepingly ethereal, romantic piece.

Bless your each and every day! ⁓ Richard 🌿

[kitty]

I say we should embrace the concept of 'Love' if or when it comes our way but alow it to breathe ~ to live within our hearts, minds, body and souls for eternity and beyond!

[kitty]

And yet the 'Bard' did avow to let his words flow through minds and hearts in sinc with thoughts created by a most memorable being.

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

Oh when the mouth cannot speak the feelings felt inside as nothing can express the depth and love truth and meaning- yes the love of the heart where it departs and finds home nobody can dictate - it is what it is - true love hath no boundaries no boarders- only open fields and flowing free- not being deprived but holding that close that sometimes is mystical and better untouched and cherished, until that certain day in time- nothing can dictate to true love and truth in dreams can be revealed many a time- wonderful soft gentle words🌹

[Richard🖌]

Dear Kelly,
No more wonderful, soft, or gentle are my words than your own, M'Lady … you speak as though you are love, itself.

I cannot thank you enough for sharing You … big, warm hug of thanks! ⁓ Richard ; )

[‘Thoughts In Time’🌹]

My pleasure 🌹

[marilyn 1225]

it seems like your love is more than imaginary perhaps it is but nevertheless an exquisite piece of love poetry... how fortunate that person, real or not, is to have you write poetry .

[Richard🖌]

Dear Marilyn,
Welcome to my poetry. : )
With such warming words of understanding, appreciation, and praise, how delightfully you've gratified a hopeful bard's efforts to write and share for your pleasure.
In as much that this rather romantic piece takes-on a feeling of reality for you, I know my greatest goal as an artist has been realized; for, what's the point of painting with words if they cannot convince the most astute reader of their sincerity.
The essence of your final thirteen words embrace me with the highest compliment I could have been paid.

With warmest hugs of effulgent thanks … yours, sincerely!
Please, come again, Marilyn ⁓ Richard

[marilyn 1225]

WOW YOU WRITE AS I I HAVE MET YOU
ANYWAY I LOOK FORWARD TO READING MUCH MORE YOU ARE RICHARD

[Richard🖌]

So much more to be explored, enjoyed, Marilyn.

[marilyn 1225]

true oh my

[Richard🖌]

S m i l e !

[marilyn 1225]

ps the link of the wave and its renowned artist did come up a bowl of noodles was his reward and he rewarded us eternally with it

[Richard🖌]

Marilyn, did you see some of his other splendid pieces on there, too?

[SleeplessVolcano]

I love this style of writing, Richard! The change in "speed" with the prose in between creates a completely different mood, hinting at the underlying thoughts of the narrator.....makes me wonder - maybe the inverse could also be worth exploring - a short-story with snippets of poetry added to the mix?

[Richard🖌]

Thank you so very kindly and appreciatively for your insightfully creative thoughts and inspiring praise of this rather unusual piece.
I very much like your idea, and see no reason why it would not work; if I were a storywriter, I would give it a good try … perhaps, you will, eh?

Brightest grateful thanks! ⁓ Richard : )

[SleeplessVolcano]

Oh Richard, stop talking nonsense - you are an exquisite story teller! I have been attempting a few plots over the years but an avalanche of writer's block(s) still hampers me ;) Any clues to get the ink flowing?

[heavenscentgirl1]

Yes, another one alittle different for you but only in the presentation ~ for the words shared are still as tender & caressing as ever flowing beautifully down the page. The one stanza that I connected closely with is:
"Besides,
I believe the heart decides
who it loves, in what ways,
and how deeply …
not you or I, nor anyone,
or anything else".
This is a very nicely penned piece of poetry Richard.
~ hsg

[Richard🖌]

I agree, Mary Jo,
This one is, indeed, different for me, in quite a different way … first that prose is a true rarity for my pen; then, that between verses there is commentary is even more rare,but you know how my imagination can soar … LOL!
Ya know? I often listen to my heart, but I seldom ever give it it true voice, and this one is my heartbeats speaking.
I very much like the lines you've highlighted, too, as-well, the very lovely compliment.

Thank you sincerely! ⁓ Richard : )

[heavenscentgirl1]

You are very welcome Richard, but it is truly my pleasure to read your words.
~ hsg

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Love is beautiful and free, loves because it loves, and knows no other way than to love. Your words, so simple and true, flow as easily as the breeze. Love should always be unfettered and free, as your words, as you. Beautiful!

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so warmly and gratefully, Linda Marie.
I knew, of all those who read my simple words of poetry, it would be you who would know and understand the deeper, more tender, whispering gentleness breathing, reaching out from in them to embrace one's emotions and longings whom can.

In receiving such a review as yours, there is no doubt why I share my written thoughts, feelings, and emotions … thank you again, ever-so warmly, Linda Marie! ⁓ Richard : )

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

As ever, as always, my pleasure. :-)

[Coyote Poetry]

Kind, beautiful and gentle words for love. I liked every poem my friend. Thank you Richard for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, John 🍂
Yours, another fine review the site let slip through the slats, but I appreciate and enjoy your reviews at any time.
Many blessings for the new year, My Friend! ⁓ Richard : )

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Richard and I always enjoyed your work.

[lightsong]

I have a lover, an adoring beloved, whom is pretty much like You, I got it from Your essence that sweeps through Your words profoundly, sensitive like the warmth of rain, gentle like a shimmering brook, through the undefined depths, the expanding growing skies, the alluring mystery, the repose of glory, of the universe of Love, no limits, no ideas can answer it, but it's always the answer, I wonder how many are there whom are cable, able, or dare to feel Love the way You've painted in a masterpiece of real artful philosophy, and not just that, but also to take it as a method in life, of living, to make Love free with no limits, doesn't mean disloyalty, but the renewal, the easy flowing of its ultimate eternal power, the abundance, the keep flowering abundance, of beauty, of emotions, of creativity, of joy, of bliss... of falling in Love, again and again... with the same person, as it's for me, I keep drowning in His endless with no depths ocean, and He keeps pulling me up into His beacon of safty, His lights of ease, tenderness, trust, care, warmth, and understanding, I wish at times I can express as He does, it would have been easier to me, when he speaks, it's the world speaks, the nature speaks, the universe speaks, the mountains move, the rivers turn into waterfalls, the cosmos expanding, the flowers bloom, and their petals float into beautiful dreams.... and I stand speechless, as I exist in His own wondrous realm, if You ask me, I swear my Soul has birthed from His, my heartbeats emerge from His heart... and like You, not even this page can be enough, nor this humble review, and I can go on and on... all I can say If only he knew...

Thank You for sharing, a piece of heaven on our earth, the least to say.

[Richard🖌]

Hello, Light! : )
If there were but a single thought I could share about your review, it would be, "Some fellow is sooo really and truly lucky that you are his girl!"
I'll happily admit I've never received such a deeply heartfelt and passionate review for one of my humble poems, and I' certainly going to keep it, if you don't mind.
The enthralling words of your review eclipse my poem by far, in such a way I'm tempted to replace my poem with it … LOL!
How thrilling it is as a poet, to know something I've written has touched you so deeply and inspired such beautiful commentary … I can barely wait to read your poetry, if this is an example of how splendidly you can write.

My warmest, most grateful hug of thanks! ⁓ Richard : )

[lightsong]

You said it Yourself, Your words inspired mine, and may be if there were no one here, I wouldn't have written all of this, so also my humble happily thanks go to You, and I'm not seeing any humble poems, I'm seeing pieces of beautiful arts, and who would mind for his/her words to be saved by such an obviously Glorious Writer?!
My deepest honor :)

[Richard🖌]

My lowest, most graceful bow⁓*