When Venus Gives Her Sign (light romance)

Ballad (in 8/6/8/6 syllable-count, iambic meter, and an abab, cdcd, etc; rhyme-scheme)

When Venus Gives Her Sign

Last eve within the still of night,

of You I dreamt a dream …

we strolled together, hands held tight,

beside a silver stream.

There, on the mossy bank we laid

neath summer’s sil’very moon,

as all around us, fireflies played

to nightingale’s low croon.

A’blush above the stratosphere,

wink knowing stars so wise,

that every lover who’s lain here …

danced starlight in their eyes.

An olde familiar song composed

by Nature long ago,

began to harmonize, transposed

our moonlit scene below.

So changed their ambience that then,

a charm on us was cast;

such was its spell so deep within,

electric charges passed.

Magnetic as the universe,

too strongly to resist …

such deeply-primal, sweet coerce,

made certain that we kissed.

So dearly ’twas when touched our lips

we flowed from two to one;

our universe into line slips …

a miracle’s begun.

As auras blended, breaths did, too;

warm blood began to flow

into all places  … sparks then flew,

and, now, I think we know;

when deep at night warm dreams ensue

and planets all align,

there’s no resisting what’s come true ~

when Venus gives her sign.

Richard W. Jenkins

© 23 Sep 2018

Author's Note

Painting, oil on canvas: Cupid Undoing Venus' Belt, by Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1788

Feel free to offer serious critique and helpful comments! : )

Reviews

[lightsong]

What surprises me about this poem, as many other poems from You, how You even speak "sciencely" of/about love, hinting with hidden thoughts here and there, all uttered with Your ever gentle loving dreamy and fine poetic voice. Your poems have this profound touch of primal prim love and even life, where nothing was there but earth and sky, they waft with the ever first breath...

it makes me happy to read something happy from You :) (: .

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Lovely Light! : )
I cannot thank you enough for blessing me so sweetly with the touches of your sparkling words, but nothing is more gratifying than knowing my poetry has made you happy.

Warmest hugs to thee! ⁓ Richard 🌸

[kitty]

Who can disagree with the approval of the 'Goddess' herself? She watches and is happy to see lovers in love consumate their love while angels sing and magnetic/electric charges flow. Beautiful way to show a scene where love takes precedence! Magnetic write that will appeal to all lovers in love!

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Dear Kitty! : )
Ever-so sweetly, you take words and turn them into praise and appreciative caresses, in wondrously beautiful ways uniquely your own.

Thank you for You, and for all you do … hugs! ⁓ Richard ; )

[kitty]

And thanks to you M'lord for your delicately enticing poems that relate so well your reader's feelings and emotions shared!

[Adam Latham]

That is such a beautiful piece of poetry, it really is. That third verse for me, about the stars, is magical. Well done! :)

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Adam! : )
What a splendidly apt review for romantic little effort.
I am so very happy you chose one of my pieces to read, and even more-so that you found such praiseworthy favor in it.
That particular verse you've highlighted is one of my favorites, too.

Bless you for the gratefully humbling appreciation you've shared with a hopeful bard! ⁓ Richard : )

[heavenscentgirl1]

Beautifully worded and presented as usual my dear Richard ... now, I just need to catch my breath and wait for the afterglow to subside. I truly love this one. big warm hugs my dear man.

[Richard🖌]

Many thanks, Mary Jo,
What a warm and lovely review for this rather romantic little piece of poetic imagery.

I am so pleased you've found such enjoyment in these verses … big hug! ⁓ Richard : )

[heavenscentgirl1]

You totally deserved them all, even the big warm hugs that are being sent your way. 😘🤗. Mary Jo

[B. Lee Leger (Thug-Ange..]

within fertility as a goddess is only to bear birth by bliss of the goddess.
your words beautifully painted this serene poem. It's not only these words
that you painted it's the colors through metaphoric ambience like a serenaded
rose bears both peddles as well thorns.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Billy-Joe!
Sorry, I seem to have missed your brilliantly rendered, appreciative, encouraging, and gratifying review for this little romantic fantasy.
I really enjoyed your knowing take on its spirit and essence, too.

Thank ever-so much, Dear Fellow-Poet! ⁓ Richard : )

[Susan 🦋]

Ahhh those dreams we dream of what the heart caresses so softly.There is no doubt the heart wants what it wants. Should love reside in a dream ... so be it. Sing me a Ballad more beautiful than this one. My starlit eyes are dancing. :-)

[Richard🖌]

True, Susan!
It takes a dreamer to grasp and relate to a poem such as this, and to know "the heart wants what it wants" and how to appreciate love and accept love living in a dream.
I am not sure I can sing a more beautiful ballad than this one, but I could try. ; )

"My starlit eyes are dancing" … a beautiful poem in itself.
Thank you ever-so warmly … happy hugs to You! ⁓ Richard

[Beccy]

Aside from the form, which is impeccable, this is a gorgeously lyrical poem and the language employed harks back to more formal times, which I rather like.

What impresses me most, is that none of the lines seem either squeezed, or artificially elongated, which can often be the case when such strict attention is paid to syllable count. Having said that, I am not over keen on 'that then' in verse 5, line 1, but it does fit nicely.

Beccy.

[Richard🖌]

Gosh, Beccy!
I feel as though I've been sprinkled all over with sparkling stardust. ✨
How beautiful your words in praise and expressed enjoyment for this rather amorous oeuvre to romantic bliss.
Your appreciative take on one of my original forms is deeply and inspiringly gratifying, to say the least.
On the two words you found disfavor in, have you a suggestion to make it more pleasing?

You bless and me with your very presence … thank you ever-so warmly! ⁓ Richard 🎶

[Richard🖌]

I must apologize, Dear Beccy … the Ballad is not one of my original forms … I had another poem in mind.
Humbly, yours! : )

[Nyx Star]

Beautiful! Sounds like Venus is dancing gracefully

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Xiamara, for your sweet praise and lovely comment.

Hugs to you! ⁓ Richard : )

[angel]

Richard, I hardly ever say this in response to a poem, but here goes...I wouldn't change a thing!
Well done.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Angel,
You have honored and blessed me beyond words.
What a beautiful thing to say to me of my poem … what more gratification could a hopeful bard, who writes and shares his humble efforts for other's enjoyment, could ever ask?

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

[angel]

When you deserve it, you deserve it. You, sir, are a poet!

[Richard🖌]

"B L U S H !"

[Kelly Scheppers]

She is a goddess of love, but a woman all the same. I wish I had some virtual moonlight, for that's the only thing I could suggest it is in need of. You always do that thing you do - in taking my breath away!

Don't be a stranger now! ; )

[Richard🖌]

Ah, Dear Lady Kelly,
Ever a tender smile upon my heart when seen your name b'neath my poems … for, I know my day will be warmed with the afterglow of soft moonlight touches.

I feel a gentle nudge in your direction, too … smiles 'n hugs! ⁓ Richard 🌼