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 🍃

[katie]

Beautiful!
Slightly sad at the loss of a cherished one but beautiful in the memory of one. It's amazing how sometimes we can almost feel someone from our past is just around the corner when, in fact, we will never see them again.

[Richard🖌]

So many, Dear Katie, from my past for imagination to draw upon, to create these little poignantly romantic poems of mine.
How true it is, and how insightful you are to know I have moved-on, to never see them again.
I think it must have something to do with a poet's heart (or a poetess's), that there is something deeper always stirring in us, eh?
Warmest hug of thanks to you, Katie! ⁓ Richard

[katie]

I think, as poets, as artists, we are more in tune with all that we feel. We are able to pull all our emotions and put them onto paper. :)

[Richard🖌]

Katy,
You are a most wonderful and talented poet (as if you did not know), and I love your sense of understanding and expression of that which glows within us … you make my heartbeat quicken and my notions sigh.

[jesserose99]

a special handling of the words used...very beautifully done. Has a lovely old world feel.

[Richard🖌]

Jesse,
Your knowing way enthralls with gratitude and praise, that keeps this olde pen shined and ready to share and please again, and I cannot thank you enough for the encouragement.

It has been a distinct pleasure to share with You, Dear Lady-Poet … warmest smiles! ⁓ Richard

[David Scott]

I see the free flow you spoke of here. I could feel the calm. The last stanza painted a picture of autumn leaves floating away from a moss covered shoreline.
Enjoyable and educational.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, David, for reading and enjoying this reflective little piece of yearning emotion.
It is rewarding to know you've come away with something worthwhile in a brighter understanding of the Free Verse form.
Your comments let me know we've connected through this work, and what better reward and gratification could there be for a hopeful bard, eh? Smiles, with many thanks! ⁓ Richard

[Jyoti_Ablaze]

Nature has ways to touch your very being so deeply with mysterious meanings. Sometimes, it brings someone's breath to you while sometimes it brings the shed tears. It is astounding how well your words convey that. Amazingly penned, for it's flow is like honey.

[Richard🖌]

Aw, Jyoti,
From your words in review to this sadly tender piece, my heart is filled to overflowing.

Thank you ever-so warmly! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Jyoti_Ablaze]

You are welcome :)

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

In those quiet moments, nature finds a way to fill our veins, our pen and write the sweetest of sentiments. Autumn leaves may fall and winter will follow; but spring always returns. This is beautiful!

[Richard🖌]

While looking to see if you'd read this rather poignantly romantic piece, I ran across your review I now realize I missed when you wrote it for me these three long years past.
First-off, I am sorry to have missed anything from You, Linda Marie; secondly, as always, I love the sentiments and feeling left within from your gentle words. ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Willard Wells]

Very lovely piece and I am torn between a story of love absent and the leaving of summer. It rather leaves the ideas in the mind of the reader, depending on what their needs might be. Well Done.

[Richard🖌]

Yes, Willard,
I can see how one might be held between those two events, both physical and/or emotional, and why am I not surprised you would be drawn to those aspects of this piece, knowing from your poems how deeply your feelings run.
Many thanks, My Friend, for your always needed and appreciated praise, and for selecting this poignant release from my imaginative, more pensive mood! ⁓ Richard

[Willard Wells]

Always a pleasure to read your work and receive your words.

[Cherrie]

I enjoyed how you let nature and your easy tempo lead us through this vista of beauty. It is filled with delightful images and a lasting memory.

[Richard🖌]

Hello, Dear Lovely Poetess!
How wonderful of you, Cherrie, to select this romantically tender little piece to read and enjoy, and to review with such encouraging praise.
Hugs 'n blessings or warmest thanks to You! ⁓ Richard

[Samuel Dickens]

I don't know much about poetry, but it seems you do. The picture you paint is wonderful and soothing. As with so much that's precious in life, however, it ends with an ache to the heart. This is very nice work, Richard.

[Richard🖌]

Samuel,
I long ago learned one does not need a degree in creative writing to enjoy good poetry, and it sure seems you consider mine to be somewhat good enough to enjoy.

Thank you, My Dear Poet Friend, for your gracious words and inspiring praise! ⁓ Richard

[Cryingkate]

Oh Dear, Yesterday after our review replies I wondered again to your site.
Of coarse after i had just spoken about each others pond and the connection we have about Riverwords i stumbled upon your pond. Coinicidence?
Naw.. we know better :-)

Richard, This write is so Beautiful and so Deeply felt and portrayed that it must of been mined from deep caverns.
I have been resisting the urge to write a reply. Restraining the Spirit is a tough one for me :-)
You have awakened the "Spiritual Maiden" in me.
Thank you so much.

[Richard🖌]

Yes, Kate, some things flow and merge together, like thoughts, dreams, fantasies, desires, fate … they flow and blend as one into a sea of sensations that often awaken mental, emotional, and yes, even spiritual bliss that has lain waiting to warmly breathe again.
When deep feelings hit, it is the moment to embrace that which envelops the senses, such as you've done with this poem and its touches upon you.
Most warm and grateful thanks to you, Dear Poetess, for sharing You! ⁓ Richard

[Cryingkate]

Oh My.... The maiden clutches her fist to her heart as she tries to contain "The breath/The Spirit"
Keywords transfer as witnesses, testifying communion and meeting at a place unseen,
Sir Richard, Thy word unlocks doors of dimensional palaces and gardens.
Oh dear Poet....... How sweet is thy song.
How Blessed is I to have met you where eyes cannot see.
Oh My ! Oh my , my my.....

[Amelia May]

The imagery throughout this poem is beautiful. You can really tell that you are an experienced writer. Thank you for sharing with the rest of us on here. Each word looks as if it was precisely chosen to further portray the poem in their own unique ways. Lovely. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

[Richard🖌]

Dear Amelia,
It is such praise, expressed understanding, and enjoyment as yours that assures me I've been successful in my desires and goal of touching others through my earnest efforts.
I cannot thank you enough for your inspiringly gracious comments.
Hugs 'n blessings to you, Dear Poetess! ⁓ Richard