Grande Aspirations ⁓ (a poet's longing)

Nabla Del (a type of concrete or shape poem)

Author's Note

"NABLA DEL"
an original poetic form
created by Richard W. Jenkins
© 12 Dec 2001
In the shape of an upside down (inverted) triangle, this form must be centered for full effect, but may be aligned left or right when formatting will not permit center alignment.
There is no set syllable count per line, but each descending line must be reduced by (at least) two letters, until there is one word at the bottom, and a smooth sided inverted triangle has been produced.
12 Lines total are required in the following order:
1 … Opening/Introduction Line
2 … Quatrains (4-Line verses)
1 … 3-Line Closing Verse (triplet)
Rhyme scheme is: x, xbxb, xcxc, xxx (x = no rhyme). But, by author's choice, there can be more rhymes, as long as the required minimum rhyme scheme is met.
It can be a challenge … if you try it, just have fun!
Painting: A young Rembrandt Van Rijn, self-portrait, oil on panel, c.1625

All well-meant, constructive critique is welcome! : )

Reviews

[kitty]

Thank you for this wonderful piece. During my days as a promising writer I have always had in mind ways and means of making my writing more appealing by introducing different forms/styles to make my work more versatile. In reading you, the 'master' I am gradually more convinced that somehow this is possible/within reach.

[Richard 🍃]

Hello, Lady Kitty,
I is lovely seeing you today, reading and reviewing these rare verses from my old pen in the Nabla Del form.
In accommodating your desire to make your writing more appealing and versatile, I can think of no form better suited or more unique than this … within reach, surely.
What a gratifying honor it would be for a poetess of your note to compose in one of my original forms.
Please, let me know when/if you do.

Kitty, you are certainly welcome, and I thank you most warmly and gratefully for your expressive words in appreciation and enjoyment … happy hugs! ⁓ Richard : )

[Intothemilkyway]

Very interesting poem. He knows he is great and he knows that his work is so too. A grande poet indeed.
Even if someone doesn't like his work he still loves them and continues to write for the ones that love him.

[Richard 🍃]

That is sooo very beautiful, M'Lady!

One of the nicest, sweetest things anyone has ever said to me … sighhh!

Thank you ever-so warmly … hugs to You! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Robert Trakofler (Bad B..]

well I have read and come back to this many times and this to me has a familiar ring to it and all I can say is I just keep on the scrawl hoping some of it sticks to the walls and paints a picasso but like all things when done with love its bound to....

[Richard 🍃]

First, My Friend,
Thank you sincerely for reading and rereading this unique, original poem … what a gracious compliment to an olde bard's hopeful efforts.

With such lovely sentiments you bless me, too! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[JungLee]

Interesting poem. I liked the layout of it. I am bad at computers so I don't think I could format it that way.

[Richard 🍃]

Greetings, my fine Asian friend. : )
Thank you for "liking" the layout of this original form.
With practice, patience, and determination, I believe you could do quite well at this form.

Many blessings! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[JungLee]

Thanks! Often my friends joke and call me grandma cause I don't know how to do well with computers. Especially video games!

[Richard 🍃]

Ha-hah!
Me, too.

[Carola]

as always, brilliant in style & words, richard.
i suppose the triangle could also be done the other way around & have the photo at the bottom for effect.

what do the words nabla del actually mean ?
cheerio carola

[Richard 🍃]

Hi, Lovely Lady Carola 🌺
Yes, it could go both ways, as so much in life, love, and romance does, eh? ; )
The nabla is a triangular symbol resembling an inverted Greek delta: or ∇. The name comes, by reason of the symbol's shape, from the Hellenistic Greek word νάβλα for a Phoenician harp.
Del is an operator used in exacting mathematics, in particular in vector calculus, usually represented by the nabla symbol ∇.

Thus, the exactness of this original poetic "concrete" or "shape" form.

Thank you, Dear Carola, for your always warmly gratifying comments! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Jade]

You are a accomplished poet, This is wonderful.
I am not good at form writings, now my cousin is pretty good at it.

[Richard 🍃]

Thank you, Dear Brandie, for your lovely compliment on my writing skills and this original poem … blush*

Well, this would be a fun form to practice on and improve your penmanship, eh?

Who is your cousin … does she/he post their poems on the Café?

Thanks a zillion for your endearing reviews … big hugs, Brandie🌸 ⁓ Richard

[Dr. YumnaKay]

I just realized I haven't yet reviewed this one, even though had this open all day yesterday for pointers...!
You are such a master in poetic forms, Richard, and this one speaks just a small example of your expertise.
"sit back for awhile
read me again"
That I'll be surely doing ;)

[Richard 🍃]

And, Yumna,
I just realized I have never responded to your lovely review for this unusual piece, and for that very kind, exceedingly generous compliment on my writing skills. : )

Thank you ever-so sincerely! ⁓ Richard

[Ahnjolie McKenna]

Your poem brings a smile to me... the words are seemingly effortless, yet so artfully presented. :)
You are hardly 'plain and simple', love...as your pen is tipped with the magic that is ever on display. I do not imagine that your writings possess any faults, 'sins', as they so perfectly embrace your unique poetic brilliance. And it is recognised as such by all who have the pleasure to 'read' you.
Thank you for sharing this most lovely work. :)

Soft smiles for you...
Ahnjolie

[Richard 🍃]

When a premiere poetess drops by to read and review one of my humble pieces, it is a special occasion, indeed, to sit up and take note of anything special her words might convey.
Surely, a bard could not be more gratified in knowing his efforts brought a smile to her lips, that she perceives his pen as tipped with magic, a blush from her effulgent praise, and that she gives thanks for his lovely work, calling him 'love', and gifts her brand of soft smiles … yet, the one thing most meaningful of all to him is that she thinks he's more than 'plain and simple'.

Thank you ever-so warmly, humbly, and sincerely, dear poetess!
Happy hugs, dear Ahnjolie ⁓ Richard : )

[Judy Emery/ Lilly Emery]

I would like to pen down for you how I feel as I was reading your beautiful words. I loved it.:)

[Richard 🍃]

Thank you, Lilly, ever-so gratefully for selecting one of my little pieces to read, enjoy, and leave such a rewarding review for.

That you "love " anything about my writing is graciousness beyond anything I could have hoped for … hugs to you! ⁓ Richard : )

[Silmara McGarry]

An original poetic form created by you? How amazing!!!!
There is no critique...It is absolutely lovely. I read it twice!!!!!! I love the shape :-)
Congratulations are in order.
:-)
Sil

[Richard 🍃]

Ah, M'Lovely Sil,
How sweet your is heart to grace my humble work with such praise and accolades of love and appreciation.

Warm and happy blessings of many thanks, Dear Lady-Poet! ⁓ Richard : )

[heavenscentgirl1]

As always you have blessed your readers with a beautifully touching piece of poetry that not only gives us pleasure to read but also shares your knowledge of the different styles of poetry. It is always a pleasure to read your words Richard. I hope you’ve been well my old friend. 🌹💖 - mj

[Richard 🍃]

Thank you, Mary Jo, for your generous praise and expressed enjoyment of this original poetic form from my personal portfolio.
I have been quite well; thank you for the well wish, my Friend … I wish as much to thee.

Warmest blessings! ⁓ Richard : )

[heavenscentgirl1]

You are very welcome and blessings to you also. 😘❤️