Grande Aspirations ⁓ (a poet's longing)

Nabla Del (a type of concrete or shape poem)

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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) one or 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.
Note: The Introduction line and verses are separated by a free space.
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

[Roth Jordain]

Hi Richard,
I am a new member who received your name from Chris on one of my reviews and Wow! [a word I rarely use] this poem came up at the top of your list when I typed your name into the Search box. I think it is a very creative poem displayed in one of the most unique and beautiful layouts I have ever seen.
I read that it is your original form and looks way too difficult for me to try but regardless I am amazed by your poetic artistry, I truly appreciate understand and relate to your rhyming message too.

Thank you sincerely Richard for sharing this outstanding work,
Roth

An aside:
Chris said one of my poems is a 'classic style' and said you could explain what that means, if you can please? The poem is the POET.

[Richard🖌]

Greetings, New Member! 🤜✫🤛

What a pleasure it is to receive such an appreciative and generously favorable review for this humble little work of unique originality … I must remember to thank Chris for sending you over to my place. : )
She is quite the highly regarded, sought after masterful poetess, in her own right.
Thank you ever-so much, Roth, for blessing one of my earnest efforts with your positive and encouraging words in review.

A big WELCOME to the Café … may your prosperous days here be many and your joys as equally rewarding! ⁓ Richard🖌


On your aside:
I read your "the POET" poem (which I'll review soon) and Chris' comment on "classical style" as-well.
Basically, I think what she's referring to is your Quatrain verses composed in a set rhyme scheme, but she could have told you that … she can be quite modest, me thinks. ; )

[Roth Jordain]

Thank you Richard,
Your help is highly regarded and greatly appreciated. I have written poetry and short stories for about twenty five years [i am 40 now] and joined a couple of other poetry sites before coming here and learned a lot about composition, a few forms and how to present them artistically but never heard of the 'classical style'.
A question please? Is there a way you know of to shut off so many ads here?

Thank you again Richard for your help,
Roth

[Robert Trakofler]

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 🍃

[NotUsinganymore]

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 🍃

[NotUsinganymore]

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. 😘❤️

[Crowley]

A lovely form and format, I am always grateful to see folks who take the time to make the poem beautiful in word and deed. And since this is the first I have read of you, I will not judge your sins as of yet, however, I am not expecting them to be an affront to my delicate sensibilities...lol. Great work!

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Sir,
For honoring me with your encouraging read and review, and how wonderful it is you found favor in this unique little concrete piece.

Thank you for the needed brevity, too, Dear Poet! ⁓ Richard : )