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 🍃

[L.C. Jarrette]

Early sun ...
vibrant in its warm flush
of golden welcome
came cascading down
from the treetops,
embracing grass,
gifting colors vividly alive,
lifting flowers' faces …
with their honey-pollened smiles
wow!!such a brilliant poem sir...reading this really feels like i'm sitting beside the pond, appreciating the beautiful nature and the simplicity of life. The above lines are my favorite.
But then I could sense the longing and sadness which brings me to tears...this is beautiful

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear LC,
For gifting me your most wonderfully lovely and gratifying words in review to this image-laden work of gentle emotion and feeling … I can almost feel you sitting quietly there beside me, your gentle bouquet lingering still! ✨

Thank you, sweet little poetess! ⁓ Richard ; )

[L.C. Jarrette]

it's my pleasure to read your wonderful poems sir. i am still reading some of your poems...:)

[Richard🖌]

Ohhh, I am so honored, LC,
Please, review them for me, too, if you'd like … I'd enjoy that. : )

[Glen Weimann]

Gosh Richard. I only just came upon this. I was thinking, hmm this is good, and 'that's SO apt, etc etc and then I saw it had won a prize. Beautifully written.

Regards
Nigel

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Nigel,
Your expressed words of praise and keen reflection on this rather gently sad piece are truly inspiring.

Bless you most gratefully, Sir! ⁓ Richard

[Maria]

Wow this is so beautiful. I could even sense the air, and breeze and it reminded me of the pond we used to have in my old neighborhood as a kid. Imagery is great!

[Richard🖌]

Maria,
After reading through a number of your poems, it comes as no surprise that you would find this piece so vividly real, or that you'd relate to on a personal level.
What is a most wonderful surprise is that you've gifted me your encouraging and gracious praise.

Thank you ever so warmly, Dear Lady-Poet … a happy hug to you! ⁓ Richard : )

[Maria]

Thank you once again, and I can see that you truly have a very good, practice in writing.

[Richard🖌]

Yours sure is pulling me to them, too, Maria.
I'll be by soon! 🎶

[Maria]

Why thank you, I always appreciate a good input and or advice. :)

[George Coombs]

Beautiful writing Richard, a wonderful celbration of life and of the wonder of the present moment; I once heard it said (I forget where) "All that is is in the now" I particularly liked the concluding section beginning "It is said..." as Autumn is so very special for me, great writing

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, George,
Most of my readers are our wonderful ladies, but I, also, gratefully appreciate the input and commentary of a male point of view, as-well; especially, when it's an accomplished artist like you.
Your sentiments of praise, expressed appreciation, and understanding are truly inspiring to an olde bard's ear.
I do not know who's it is you've quoted, George, but I certainly concur that "now" is all we really have, except in memory, of course.
Yes, the final verse says a great deal in a very sensitive and touching way, and Autumn is a beautiful, bountiful, and (for some) lonely time.

Thank you again, My Friend, for such a thoughtful review to this rather gentle piece … blessings! ⁓ Richard

[George Coombs]

Thankyou richard, I'm glad you found my review helpful

[Richard🖌]

You are very welcome, George … be safe and well, my friend. : )

[Tiana]

WOW! This is amazing, Richard. Such vivid imagery that's so beautifully written!

[Richard🖌]

Thank you warmly, Tiana,
The effulgence of your words sweep through me as softly as a whispered summer breeze.

Your praise lifts my spirits … bless you most kindly and gratefully! ⁓ Richard : )

[Tabby Mac]

THIS IS AWESOME! I love everything about this piece RJ! It's imagery beginning and end. The heartfelt message it sends!! My heart wrenched and tears welled into my eyes. Knowing loss it struck a cord with me. The flow was perfect and it was like I was watching it in my mind. A beautiful tribute this piece is or could be.
I write truth in my poetry not all do. But if this is true big hugs to you! If not well done capturing true emotions!
Well penned! Beautifully expressed! AMAZING!
Tabby

[Richard🖌]

Ya know, Tabby?
When a poetess who knows how to express herself so well comes along and blesses me with her warm appreciation, praise, and deep understandings I cannot help but feel a deep blush of fulfillment and gratitude beyond what my meager words can convey, but I assure you my senses feel every nuance expresses by your mind, heart, and soul.
You're not only an amazing poetess, but a beautiful reviewer, M'Lady.

To me, there is nothing untrue about shared feelings, emotions, or the sentiments of longing and loneliness; your sweet touch, tender; your warm hugs, welcome … I thank you sincerely! ⁓ Richard

[Tabby Mac]

You are most welcome! I'm flattered by your words! Im suppose to be encouraging you!
Encourager to encourager I have met my match! Bow to you sir poet! I'm a hugger so hugs welcome!
You have a truly beautiful poem here! It shows an amazing heart.
Tabby

[Richard🖌]

'Twould appear we're harmonious in truly wondrous ways ~*~ your heart sings sweetly, too … warmest hugs, Tabby ⁓ Richard

[J.J. NIGHTINGALE]

I think I like you best..in free verse.. lol
Not fettered by form.. don't you know?
You had me by the heart, from the very start..
As dear Emma wrote, we see a different side of you.

Wonderful..Soft, Sincere....Loving...

Jazz..

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Jasmine, genuinely and sincerely!
When a lady reads and positively expresses her feelings and thoughts so elegantly, concisely, and openly of one of my poems, and my personal self, there is no doubt whatsoever that my heart will smile in warmest, most happily delighted gratitude, and to know you perceive the true me is touching to the core.
Hugs 'n warmest blessings, Dear Jasmine … you're a lovely flickering flame! ⁓ Richard : )

[J.J. NIGHTINGALE]

You are most welcome Richard...... Jazz..

[KT-B]

Beautiful......very emotive, delightfully expressed, yet so sad, your work is extremely powerful - my heart constricted and it made me want to cry - love it :)

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so joyfully, Dear Lady-Poet!
Your words of praise, keen-minded commentary, and shared emotional effect express the effects poetesses and poets dream their pieces will bring forth from every reader.
That you "love" this rather contemplative and pensive effort, is unexpectedly high gratification, indeed!

Most humbly and gratefully, I bow in sincere appreciation for your touch of thoughtful loveliness … warmest blessings, KT ⁓ Richard : )

[emmajoy]

' 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 '

Richard, whilst I've read if not reviewed most of your poems, hand on heart, i think this Free Verse is YOU, the Man. I've choked with tears, reading it twice.. found such golden moments wrapped in your phrasing, ' . it hung for a while - in the morning air, - a fragrant marker - along a trail of yesterdays,'

You've shown such love for a love that is still with you, surely; your words lay tightly bonded, sincere, finely striking a balance of poetry with style. Truly beautiful.

[Richard🖌]

Em,
You just made me realize two very important aspects of my poetry:
First, from the thoughtful essence of your always insightful and meaningful sentiments and comments, why I so passionately enjoy writing and sharing my humbly hopeful efforts with you.
Then, why when finding your name as reviewer on any poem of mine makes me glow all through with a warm and grateful smile, because I know you're going to understand, appreciate, and enjoy me in the exact way I want to be!

How enthralled I am to receive the vibrant mana from your own heart … bless you, Em* ⁓ Richard

[emmajoy]

Speaking as one who can't cope with meter, style or anything remotely formal.. i bow to your usual work but saw another side of you in this.. :) Blessings for Easter, my friend.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever so warmly, Em! : )

[emmajoy]

Just re.read my review, there were so many typos, think i was still recovering.. 'apologise profusely. Hope things are tidier now.

[Richard🖌]

Both ways were and are beautiful, Em … sincere thanks for the special care. 🌼