Linked⁓* (sweet sorrow)

English [Shakespearean] Sonnet with a touch of misty Autumn melancholy 🍂

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He's linked to her, it’s this he must extol,

so deep her smile will haunt his spellbound heart.

 He knew the risks when laying bare his soul,

 but (in their dreams) they’d never be apart.

 

 He feels her touch, despite such distance vast …

 her psalms echo across morn's golden sky.

 It’s a sad pang that evermore will last;

he'll feel her there in every breath’s soft sigh.

 

 Alas, with love there are no guarantees;

and, yet, their bond's the only truth he knows …

a truth that’s such it well redeems and frees

 … there’s nothing more he'd opt to juxtapose.

 

 He reads her parting words, then's heard to cry,

 "My heart’s still hers … of this, I’ll ne’er deny!"

Richard W. Jenkins

© 19 Oct 2024

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Author's Note

ARTWORK
Last Kiss - Adam Martinakis 1972 - Polish Surrealist Digital Painter

Leave whatever well-intended critique you feel will improve this piece.
✍

Reviews

[Lisasview]

Good morning from early morning in Spain,
Had dreams about your Sonnet and woke up to read it again a couple of times.
First, the perfect image that you chose says so much about your Sonnet before even reading your words. Not only the figures themselves, but the lines drawing them…For me the woven lines represent distance as they finally come together in a blissful kiss. Linked…
Then of course the reader is brought to your Sonnet.
Your words of true love and what can happen are so real….I felt a part of a private conversation you were having with yourself (in your head) if that makes any sense.
I know these feelings so well Richard,
Lisa, now ready for a cappuccino …

[Richard🖌]

Good late morning, Lisa, from Texas, USA 🤠

Oh, my! I do so dearly hope and pray,read moreGood late morning, Lisa, from Texas, USA 🤠

Oh, my! I do so dearly hope and pray,
the flooding missed coming your way.

So wonderfully creative your words express the essence of this classic poem in homage to a deep relationship's poignant cessation.

Ah, yes, Lisa, "the private dialogue in my head," felt so very deeply in the heart and soul … one never knows what might spill out through their ink and revealed upon a clear white page.

Mucho gracias, Señora … hope you enjoyed that cappuccino in Spain! ⁓ Richard 🍂

[DIVYA]

Alas, with love there are no guarantees;
and, yet, their bond's the only truth he knows …
a truth that’s such it well redeems and frees
… there’s nothing more he'd opt to juxtapose.

Dear Richard,

What a breathtaking verse! Both in rhyme, flawless meter and its delivery of untold emotion. Indeed, with love there are no guarantees, only fond hope. And he can always be with her in dreams and memories. I also loved the first verse, which speaks of taking risks in love. This sonnet is such a truth about that thing we call love. Absolutely amazing! I loved it!

And the wonderful artwork just enhances the mood of this Sonnet!

[Richard🖌]

Who else, Divya 💔

Than You would be endowed with the depths of compassion and empathy to so fully grasp and feel the vivid palpability of a broken heart, conveyed through the lay of a simple bard's humble words? Rare few (if any), I'll freely rejoin.

Ya know? Few bother to acknowledge artwork as being an intricate part of a well-struck poem's winsome ambiance … though, we both well-know that no amount of fanciful decor will salvage a poorly writ piece, eh?

Surprise-surprise, I see eye-to-eye with your highlighted verse choice and expressed sentiments … of V1, too. : )

That you "love" anything about my poetry is a bountifully bestowed gift, indeed!
Thank you, Dear Divya ⁓ Richard 🙏

[DIVYA]

You're most welcome, dear Richard. It was a pleasure to read and comment on this beyond beautiful sonnet.

[Chris Shaw]

Some bonds will never be broken even though parting is inevitable. Your sonnet touches deeply Richard and I also have to mention your posted artwork which is a perfect match for your sublime words. A delight to read. Thank you for your poetry.

Chris

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Chris🌸

I am so very pleased you've selected this rather cafardly little Sonnet to read and review for me, and doubly so that you have found such gracious favor in my humble efforts to adequately express those touching sensations through diction and art.

Thank you sincerely, Dear Chris … your praise and presence mean so very much.
You are warmly welcome! ⁓ Richard🍷

[Chris Shaw]

Cafardly - new word for me Richard. I took it to mean melancholic? Please correct if necessary :)

[Richard🖌]

Chris,
You are absolutely correct … that is exactly what was meant. 👌

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for confirming Richard.

[Brandy]

' He feels her touch, despite such distance. '
Yes, you've captured their connection perfectly. The picture you've chosen to match your words leaves me in complete awe. They are truly in sync with each other.

You've created a masterpiece, Richard.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Brandy 🙏🏼

Your caressing words of praiseful understanding and appreciation are as buoyantly lovely and encouraging to a poet's humble expectations, as could be … sighhh!
I, too, was awed by that unique art piece.🥂

I am thrilled by your gently warming visit, Dear Lady-Poet!
A happy hug in return! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Poetic Beauty]

When love has gone amiss and we are left with those bonds and breathless moments that tease and taunt us it can be painful yet sometimes we know the bonds will last forever.

This is smooth, delicate and hauntingly sad for I well know that feeling. This is crafted with eloquence and melancholy beauty

[Richard🖌]

You, too, M'Lady 🥀

Possess a certain charm that touches deep into a hopeful bard's core, letting him know he's not only understood, but held within a certain trust in imparting your own life's tender vulnerabilities.

Your gently caressed praise makes sharing such a pleasure … thank you ever-so warmly, Dear Poetess! ⁓ Richard🌿

[Poetic Beauty]

I always enjoy reading you poems. They are created with meticulous care and flow so effortlessly

[Titilayo Sarah Eguridu]

Love is like time travel.
The scene never expires or gets old…
It remains eternally fresh, visceral and ruthless but…
The heart wants what the heart wants.
Even if the memories open scabs from old wounds.
The passion in this piece is palpable.
I could almost see the life draining out of him.

Keep writing Richard,
I enjoyed reading this piece.
Happy Holidays.

[Richard🖌]

Ahhh, Dear Titilayo 🎶

The essence of your wondrously gracious words of empathy and wisdom, is akin to enthralling, warm music ~ laid gently upon a humbled bard's grateful soul.
Your emotional insights and tender vigor, M'Lady, lay bare a bard's vulnerability ever-so gently and fully.

I most thankfully and gratefully bow to thy golden pen with, "A Very Happy New Year To Thee, Dear Poetess!" ⁓ Richard🖌

[Titilayo Sarah Eguridu]

Dear Richard,
May this year serenade you with blessings.
Amen

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

this is a stellar sonnet, at once expressing gratitude for the love you have found and the desire for it to last. it is also a work filled with vulnerabilities ' He knew the risks when laying bare his soul,' and ' Alas, with love there are no guarantees;' but it is encased in optimism ' His heart’s still hers … of this, he’ll ne’er deny.'
i make it no secret that i'm single and my love affairs have never ended well. but i appreciate works like this, it reminds me of the time i got to spend with this person and that person; and how i would never trade those memories for the world.

[Richard🖌]

"A Most Happy New Year Greeting To Thee, Syr Ern!" 🍷

Lord, Alfred Tennyson said it best when he wrote, “'Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.”
Although, I must admit I've enjoyed the exacting accurateness of your keen discernments, in expressing the core essence of my deepest intentions expressed in this rather ruefully woeful, poetical decree.
Nothing's more rewarding or inspiring to an olde bard in return for his labors, than receiving a brilliantly rendered, fully grasped, and appreciative review.

Many blessings of earnest thanks, Dear Poet! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Patricia Wedel]

Of all the words I ever heard... "Parting is such Sweet Sorrow" is the Epitome of Love. In the quiet moments I hear the breathing of a Heart that will always echo in the Bossom of my Soul. softly, Pat

[Richard🖌]

Blissfully spake, Dear Poetess D'Mio 🌸

No more befitting or lovely array of poetically stunning whispers of wondrousness have I heard flow from the graciously warm lips of a knowing lady faire.

Always, warmly grateful, "A Very Happy New Year, Dear Pat!" ⁓ Richard 🥀

[Susan 🦋]

An English Sonnet by Richard!! Now that is a treat!! Absolutely flawless and beautifully illustrated. Your chosen theme of love and longing so eloquently expressed in the undeniable realization that what binds twin souls is eternally permanent. Yet being a sonnet, ya gotta have a Volta! But tears? Sigh, such is the ways of a sonnet. So perfectly executed, even with those heart-tugging words. Still, love endures. Always. There is beauty in that. Yay Richard! Such an enjoyable read I should have reviewed a while ago!! Thank you for sharing your amazing poetry. 😊

[Richard🖌]

❄️Though, frigid it may be across far lands,
when poets meet there's warmth shared from their hands,
that every loving touch shall always stand
for lasting treasures ⁓ sorrows shan't disband.

Such a delightfully blessed moment it is, Dear Susan, when You 'n I have occasion to meet upon poetry's golden page, joining again in mutually respectful reverence, long won, deeply appreciated, gratitude and admiration … we're lucky to have embraced.
Ya know? Oft, when reading back through pieces this battered olde pen of mine so passionately wrote, the depths of emotion, thought, and feeling still dance as vibrantly upon the page, but for the sake of me, I can't seem to recall writing them or how I felt when I did … amazing, isn't it, how inner sensations ebb and flow, come 'n go, slowing lift and fall ⁓ like sunrise and sunset?

I must not forget to thank you for your thoughtful and gracious words in review for this rather bitter-sweet piece.
I bow with most grateful appreciation, Dear Master Poetess.

"Another Happy New Year Unto Thee, Susan! ⁓ Richard 🌿

[Nelyn Salvaleon]

Hello dear Richard 🖌️
Seems you have found a great inspiration for this masterpiece of yours. The girl in this poem must be so lucky, for she has someone who loves her despite the distance between them. Lucky is the girl who has your heart dear Richard 🖌️ You really are amazing!

[Richard🖌]

Hello yourself, Dear Nelyn 🌾

Thank you ever-so warmly … a more enthralling review than the inspirationally luring enchantment dancing and weaving throughout the wonderment of your words ✨ I cannot begin to imagine.

How beautiful your touch, Poetess, and how radiantly we meet upon the page … I think we're both a bit "amazing!" 😉

Happy New Year, Nelyn 🥂 Richard🖌

[Nelyn Salvaleon]

Happy new year too, Dear🖌️☺️