Old Love (second thoughts)

Ballad in alternating iambic tetrameter/trimeter (8/6/8/6 counts) and abcb, defe, ghih, etc; rhyme scheme.

It’s well I know of lonely nights …

these ever longer days.

Each time my lover's strayed-away

and I'm the one who stays.

Lost rivers from my many tears …

then, flowed to sorrow's seas,

with plaintive, soft-sent sighs to thee,

beseeching on bare knees.

Too well I know that painful grip

of steady, lonesome days,

and dread the fall of eventide,

devoid of your dear ways.

Comes ever to my waiting hope,

unanswered, echoed calls …

there's no relent to this dire need;

too sad, each tear that falls.

Shhh! Listen, hear this heart of mine

sing sweet our love's refrain …

oh, do your feet begin to dance,

or does it bring you pain,

to know that stars cannot take back

what's twinkled in our eyes …

nor, moon forget that which he's seen

on high from warm night skies?

If you shall answer with a, "Yes,

my soul is lonely, too!"

Why not then give us one more chance,

to make old love brand new.

Richard W. Jenkins

©2019

.

Author's Note

Painting: Oil on board, courtesy of Pinterest.

Please, feel free to leave hard critique, but know what you're talking about. 🤔

Reviews

[Marie]

Old love never dies and this pleasing ballad supports my theory. Soft, gentle, warm and emotionally touching is exquisitely penned in a beautiful simplicity. A very evocative write filled with symbolism as the story of love missed is painted superbly throughout. Giving love a second chance for some couples, sadly not for everyone. Missing someone so special is very impressively penned in this sublime write. So enjoyed reading. Thank you for sharing, dear poet...

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Gently Kind Marie 🌾

To be so intricately, graciously appreciated, and knowingly praised by such an accomplished poetess, with clear, keen understanding, entices a hopeful bard to blush with the sheer sincerity of passions sent and felt.
It is poignantly written, "Once falling out of love, it is nearly impossible to fall back in."

Warmest hugs to You! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Marie]

......and also to you, dear poet!

[Cassie]

I so relate with this one Richard, I am going to shelve this one

[Richard🖌]

Goodness, Sweet Cassie!
You deeply honor me to think so highly of this romantically stimulating little piece.

I hope you enjoy it many times, more with each read … greedy, aren't I. ; )
Thank you for such lovely delight! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Sarah]

I love this! What the stars can't take back, is what twinkled in our eyes. The truth of action when the stars align. We can't undo what is meant to be.

[Richard🖌]

Ah!
Someone who really knows and understands the magical truth of love's sweet mystery.

Thank you, Sarah … you've gratified my humble efforts to reach and relate to at least one being.
My softest smile! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[heith.ash]

This is just so beautiful!
I felt as if I was reading a romantic book.
The pain ,love longing . everything is so beautifully expressed.
I loved the lines "yes my soul is lonely too". You just spoke what every soul feels.at a point in life .
I absolutely loved it

[Richard🖌]

Thank you Heith,
How fortunate I am to receive the gifts of two wondrously gracious reviews from You on a single day.
The line you've highlighted to love is one of my very favorite of all in this piece … in fact, it might well be the main pivot point of its entirety. Good eye!
The very essence of your words convey deep understanding and feelings in how completely we relate through those of my own. You have a way of touching that … well, let's say, makes a bard's earnest efforts feel so worthwhile.

Thank you for reading me and letting me know how appreciated my humble efforts are … many grateful blessings! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Fay Slimm]

What lyrical poetry this classic love-ballad which flows so well from your eloquent pen Richard. The appeal in those final two lines did it for me - Beautiful poetry.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so warmly, Dear Lady Fay✨
The appreciative sweetness of your words are the honey an olde poet bear works so hard for and enjoys so delightfully.
The final two lines, eh? Oh, yes, indeed! There is nothing like rekindling an old flame and dancing to the beat of its rhythmic ecstasy.

The warmth of your expressed enjoyment, praise, and lovely compliments are the gratuity I need right now … big HUGS! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Karmee]

You've penned a most lovely piece here

Shhh! Listen, hear this heart of mine
sing sweet our love's refrain …

I do love this part, It is so beautiful and lovely

[Richard🖌]

Well, dear Kit,
Your own words are every bit as lovely as mine, and the lines you've selected say a lot about Your own heart.

Thanks warmly for sharing You with Me! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Chris Shaw]

A beautiful piece of artwork to accompany such an accomplished write. Wonderful flow, rhyme and cadence. Much musicality here. Your lines tell a poignant story. I wonder what the outcome could be? Your readers will be left wondering. I love classical poetry, you do it so well Richard.

Chris

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, lovely Lady Christine 🥀
Nothing tops your most gratifying and encouraging reviews in praise and expressed appreciation, for a humble olde bard's hopeful efforts to write for and please a knowing readers.
I, too, wonder, Chris, what the outcome might be, and I'm betting we both hope it will be a wonderfully happy one. : )

Thank you, Dear Poetess, for reading and enjoying one of my "classical" romance pieces! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Chris Shaw]

Another visit Richard to remind myself of this exceptional piece of classical romance. Well worth the visit I might add. I hope you are keeping well in these challenging times we are living through. All good wishes.

Chris

[Richard🖌]

I am doing swell, Dear Chris : )
Thanks for caring and for taking another bite of the apple … you do so wonderfully humble and please a grateful bard.

May good health and happiness hold you warmly in their glowing embrace! ⁓ RJ 🍃

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Richard. The sentiments you express, reciprocated with warmth.

[kitty]

I have come back from a break away from our hum drum society to a magical piece. Thank you , Richard. An amazing piece, as usual. Puts your readers in that nostalgic, melancholy mood, where past (old) loves/lovers look back and think of what would have/could have been. A seemingly sincere plea that could be re-enforced by words such as these.. Was by the sea where the magic of the ocean infiltrates the mind and re invigorates the being. Thank you once again. Have a lovely week.

[Richard🖌]

Ah, Dear Sojourner Kitty 🌿
It is so truly wonderful to see you so early this morn … you fit very well with my hot mug of tea.
Welcome back … I do hope you enjoyed your time away.
I am happy you came upon this lovely little tryst of majickallly hopeful, romantic bliss that placed your homecoming in such a sweet setting of delightful recall.

Yes, oceansides to tend to have a certain way with hearts and vivid imaginations, eh?
Thank you warmly, Kitty … smiles 'n hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[kitty]

Always a pleasure M"lord!

[Coyote Poetry]

Second chances. We shall few.
"If you shall answer with a, "Yes,
my soul is lonely, too!"
Why not then give us one more chance,
to make old love brand new."
Richard, I liked the above lines. I enjoyed the calmness and the wish in your words. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Richard🖌]

Ah, my friend, John!
Alas, so true -- second chances all too often quite scarce in affairs of the heart … one opportunity and, "poof!" That's all ya get.
You selected some good lines to highlight, too, at the core of this piece.

Thank you for enjoying my humble little efforts.
May you receive all the chances you wish! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem and you are welcome Richard.