Beside the pond ⁓ (wistful)

Free Verse

    

       

      Beside the pond ~

          Alone,

          I sat beside the pond

          this morning.

          Early sun ...

          vibrant in its warm flush

          of golden welcome

          came cascading down

          from treetops' glow,

          embracing grass,

          gifting colors vivid life,

          lifting flowers' faces …

          with their honey-pollened smiles.

          I was amazed

          at how the breeze knew

          I missed you

          or was even thinking of you,

          but I’d swear

          it touched mine with your cheek,

          slid a wisp of your locks

          across my shoulder,

          and became the sweetness

          of your breath.

 

          Olive oil and rose bouquet ...

          ... it hung for awhile

          in the morning air,

          a fragrant marker

          along a trail of yesterdays,

          leading to You ...

          places of dreams and hope,

          of love and laughter

          and impossible possibilities.

 

          I almost started to believe

          I’d turn my head ~

          and you’d be there.

          Each year

          has come and gone …

          You, like fertile mana

          ever glowing, growing

          in my heart.

          It’s said all things end,

          and walking back to the house

          I sensed that coming truth,

          as Autumn's leaves

          began falling

          like tears ~

          washing around

          my feet.

              Richard W. Jenkins

                        ©2015

1st Place

"Poetry About Loss Contest"

Author's Note

Picture is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Constructive criticism is always welcomed and appreciated. : )

I was asked to post a Free Verse for a change; so, here one is … hope you enjoy.

Reviews

[Norman T]

I loved the gentle imagery that you created, that ended with a poignancy indicated by the falling leaves.
Although not normally a writer ( or lover) of free verse, I felt that this worked particularly well. You may have helped to change my inhibited views. Thank you.

[Richard🖌]

Hello, Norman! : )
It is so nice to see you here today, M'Friend, finding something to love in this beautifully poignant piece, filled with the flow gentle emotion.
Your comments and praise have certainly gratified my efforts to write, share, in hopes of pleases my knowing readers — those like You.
It is certainly rewarding to know my poem may have inspired your beginning to enjoy the Free Verse genre of poetry, broadening your appreciation a bit more, let's say. The one thing I know is, we can always keep growing, eh?
Norman, I thank you so very sincerely for stoping-in to enjoy one of my poems … please, feel free to do so anytime, My Fine Friend! ⁓ Richard

[Richard🖌]

For those who might wonder:
The six deletions above were controversial comments from a wrongly disgruntled being, who took my response to Norman's review out of context.

[Great Aunt Astri]

oooooo, oh dear1

[K writes]

I don't see anything wrong with Norman's review.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Kay✨
Your kindness is so gracious … it was not Norman's review, it something misinterpreted in my response to Norman's review that got her knickers in a wad.
Privately, she apologized and all was set straight between us … I never like to let misunderstandings go without making peace.

You're a sweetheart, Kay … thanks again. RJ 🍃

[Angelheart1]

Again, I was drawn in by your words and sitting there by the pond I could actually smell the Olive Oil in the air. This poem is filled with love and a longing for someone that is no longer there with you which brings sadness within my heart.

It is so amazing to read words that reach in to touch the core of my being and brings reality to the moment. You are a very talented writer Richard and I find joy in reading your words.

I am feeling somewhat inspired to write as I journey through your pages. Thank you . Angel

[Richard🖌]

Every now and again one of humble renderings will light-up with sentiments that touch me in ways my senses perk-up, coming alive with a knowing that someone actually read, identified with, and felt the essence of that which I released from my depths upon the page.
Your deeply gratifying review has stirred something primal and appreciated in my core, Angel, and I want you to know how very warmed and blessed I feel by you.
Your praise and expressed enjoyment of my poetic efforts, that you are inspired by them, and form the bliss you've made me feel, thereof, I warmly and gracious embrace you with my heart!

You inspire me, too! ; )
Here's a truly grateful toast to Thee, my fine lady-poet … "KLINK!" ⁓ Richard

[Anima Akuffo]

Good and vivid piece. I was transported to the pond.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Anima! : )
Welcome to the Café … I hope you'll enjoy yourselfhere
Here's a happy hug for reading and leaving such nice compliments.
Yes, I think I felt you there by my side! ⁓ Richard

[Sarah Wilson]

Yet again you leave me speechless! I love how you can feel the rhythm swaying you, and how it makes you feel so bitter sweet. It leaves me longing! The intensity at which he misses his lover grasps at your heart and gut. I wish I was able to leave a long, amazing, and poetic review like you did for me, but I'm not any good at these things! To me this poem is perfect, which I'm sure is not something that is interesting to hear, but hey, might as well tell you how wonderful this piece is!

[Richard🖌]

Goodness-ME, Sarah Dear 🍂

Seems we both have certain special ways about us that leave each other speechless … how sweet it is!
"It leaves me longing!" Ahhh, as does the warmly caressing praise and encouragement of your enthralling words, I so yearn to hear from my earnest efforts to write for and please, at least one special reader … You. ; )

You said, "I'm not any good at these things!" Your review is perfect … I could not have wished for anything that touches me more deeply and truly than You have.
With my warmest hug of sincere thanks, Lady Sarah ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Philip Muls]

Feeling one in nature with the one you lost, you capture that feeling very well here.

Elegant structure, gentle wording.

Well done.

[Richard🖌]

Many thanks, Dear Philip!
Words from your appreciative, praising pen are the gratitude an earnestly hopeful bard writes and shares for … thank you ever-so joyfully for your positive review, My Friend! ⁓ Richard

[barleygirl]

I find it very interesting, the comparison between your highly-structured writes & this one. I'm not necessarily a fan of free verse over structured, but I do like YOUR WRITING better when you are not focused on fitting your message into a particular intended package. The freedom that's shown in this poem is very much more alluring to me.

Some people appear to think free verse is an excuse to write jibberish that can't be interpreted linearly or literally. It gives free verse a bad name, I think. What I like about your free verse is that you still adhere to the good sense of communicating with clarity & artistry, as well as weaving in the usual poetic flare that shows us you crafted this (rather than spewing, as some free verse seems to me!)

Anyhow, this is so sweetly seductive, any woman would be wanting to believe it was written with her in mind. As you know, I'm a big fan of using descriptions of nature as appealing metaphors. This is one of my favorites of yours, that I've read so far.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Margie!
How wonderful it is to please you with my humble efforts, Dear Friend.
The understanding, appreciation, and valued commentary of your skillful eye allow me to clearly grasp and appreciate your take on this rather nostalgic piece.
Few realize that every form of poetry has rules, and Free Verse is no different in this sense. It is when composers of poetry have no idea of this they tend to toss words willy-nilly onto the page, in an effort they refer to as "Free Verse" poetry, and it mostly results in disorganized, unrefined, and unenlightened ramblings, of one sort or another.
I realize, too, that most all of us are doing our best to accurately and/or adequately express feelings, emotions, thinking, etc; believing Free Verse is the best methodology of doing so.
Poetic forms are akin to musical notes, scores, and melody … there is one that is best befitting that which one wishes to convey. Trouble is, few realize this, too, and even if they do lack the knowledge and poetic skills necessary to do it.
The different forms of poetry I compose-in literally range into the hundreds, and it never would dawn on me to compare form one to another, only if it fits the ambiance and intent of that which is my intent to convey, much as a musician plays a certain melody to express the feeling in their words.
Then, as most of us appreciate music in general, usually appreciating one style over another, I realize that some prefer rock, blues, folk, rap, easy-listening, etc; over others, just as they do forms of poetry … as i am certain you know. : )
Ah, well, I'm thinking you and I could discuss anything with great pleasure for hours … or, so it seems to me.
Margie, most all of my poems are derived from imagination and fantasy; therefore (typically), written with any woman/every woman in mind, which may account for why you feel as you do. I would hope, too, any man might relate to the essence of my works.
Somehow, I thought you might enjoy this particular piece, Margie … smiles 'n hugs! ⁓ Richard

[Pete]

Like this. I was there. Very beautiful. "Golden welcome" captured me. Soothing.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Pete!
Thank you most gratefully for drifting-in for a peek at this one, My Friend — it is among my favorite Free Verse selections.
To know you were able to relate so vividly you found yourself beside the pond with me, feeling it all, is a gift any poet would enjoy receiving, and i thank you most graciously for it.
The descriptive words you were drawn to are certainly beautiful, and they helped set the moment in Nature's arrival upon the scene; great choice.
Thank you again, Pete … a happy day to you! ⁓ Richard

[McBear]

The imagery is just beautiful. I really liked it. Send me some RR's!

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, My Friend,, for the kind, encouraging words of praise and appreciation for this softly poignant piece.
There are a number of Free Verse and Free Style poems amongst my selections, if you enjoy this genre … I would love your take on any or all of them.
Thank you for liking this one … that means so very much to me! ⁓ Richard

[Jessi]

This literally took my breath away.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Dear Jessi.
Your words sweep all through me … how lovely and welcome they truly are.read moreHi, Dear Jessi.
Your words sweep all through me … how lovely and welcome they truly are.
Thank you for sharing You … hugs! ⁓ Richard

[Jennesis]

This was beautiful! I found myself along with you by the pond. For me, there is something so beautiful about being in nature, as it connects us with the spirit inside us, as well as the connectedness we all share. It's like when we are quiet there, observing and absorbing all the beauty, we can touch that which is unseen. I sensed grief here, or a love lost, either way I felt how spiritual the moment was.

[Richard🖌]

Gosh, Jenn!
I am so sorry, M'Lovely Lady … I've no idea how i could have missed such a beautifully rendered review as yours is.
I think I felt you there with me, too, or would have loved to, and how inspiring, gratifying, and fulfilling your voice is in letting me know you feel the deep emotion so vividly, so clearly that it brought you there with me beside the pond, sharing it all … there is no one I'd rather it had been.
The way you describe it is a wonderful poem, and exactly how i saw and felt it, too.

Thank you, Dear Lady-Poet, for sharing it all with me … smiles 'n hugs! ⁓ Richard

[Jennesis]

Happy new year Richard. I read the poem again as I read your comment and was absorbed yet again. May 2016 be a beautiful year of poetry for you. Though I don't believe in resolutions per se, but I am making it a point to spend more time writing and reading. :) mwah!

[Richard🖌]

Such sweet sentiments you gift me, Jenn, the inspiration and feelings embrace me to compose them into a poem … such are those portions of me awakened, thereof, so nicely, so welcoming with smiles like happy butterflies within ⁓ thank you so dearly, and A Happy New Year To You, Too, Jenn.
I love the kiss … it is a most wondrous way to begin 2016 ⁓ and, one to Thee, M'Lady, mwahhh*

[Richard🖌]

Jenn,
Your new profile picture, by-the-way, delights me … thanks! : )