At the Dawn of Love (whiskers 'n rainbows)

Lesson 4: Bi-Trillets

At the dawn of love, two lives longed, thereof;
time spent to know amour's sweet bliss ~
felt sincerity's tender kiss.

His heart's avatar; she is Morningstar!
they came together in Godspeed;
knew not what the future would need.

Perfect couple; for, truly trust will store.
Yet, in clearest tranquility,
belies life's fated tragedy.

Disease glazing stain, colored life with pain.
Man, whose mind is as clear as glass ...
dementia, now, has come to pass.

In his confusion, there's no delusion;
no need to obscure or pretend.
His story must come to an end.

Time may take its toll, test a righteous soul
(he whose body was strong as stone),
she whose care's been lovingly shown.

In faith to true vows, now, her strength endows
tolerance, coupled with patience ...
unconditional acceptance.

This man's works of art touched her humble heart;
cut stained panes with optimism ~
paints light through empathy's prism.

As memory fades, falls into grey shades,
they find comfort in routines set;
cooking peace ... and, joys of a pet.

So, grace lifts sadness, life filled with gladness
both, they and their happy hearts purred ...
memories together transferred.

Through refracted light, man sees his twilight ~
takes solace that her future knows,
love lives on ... whiskers and rainbows.

2022

Author's Note

This is a true story. My friend is an accomplished stained glass artist. His wife's maiden name is Morningstar. I'm here helping them.

Bi-Trillets is an original form developed by Richard Jenkins. The first line rhymes on the 5th and 10th syllable, then two 8 syllable lines that rhyme with each other. I really enjoyed writing in this form and admire Richard's ability to design poetic structure. I will be writing more Bi-Trillets in the future.

Reviews

[Linda Stinson Wells]

Wow!!! Right over this woman's head. I am trying to learn to understand poetry. When you talk about Bi-Trillets and rhymes on the 5th and 10th syllable and two eight syllable lines that rhyme, you have completely lost me. You surely know your poetry. What I am getting out of this is a man and woman meet and fall in love. The man comes down with dementia. They are learning to accept it and deal with it. They get a pet. His dementia deepens and he accepts his upcoming death. Am I too far off? If I am make me understand, please.

[William Michael Reeves]

Sorry so late with a response. You pretty much summarized it correctly. What I might add is the concept that their love gets transferred to their cats and the eternal nature of art, and his energy in it, will carry her through a future alone. Thank you Linda

[Linda Stinson Wells]

Oh that is so awesome. Yes I got confused at the animal part. But I did realize the pet played an important part. Thank you for help. You have a good one. I am getting better at this poetry reading.

LSW

[Temperance]

This is a beautiful tribute to your friend. Dementia is such a sad disease for everyone. This is a lovely poem, William and interesting form, which, I'm sure, Richard is proud of you. Thank you for sharing. Temp

[William Michael Reeves]

Almost got an A on this one. Thanks Temperance.

[Patricia]

This is brilliant writing! Love the style and it has great flow and a great flow of emotions. excellent form!

[William Michael Reeves]

Thank you. The form created the style in a way. This was very emotional for me to write. Might have even shed a tear as it started to take shape. The power of poetry!!

[Patricia]

Indeed William!

[Aura]

A beautiful piece of poetry dedicated to your friend and his wife. Staned glass art is so beautiful, like the relationship your friend and his wfie had. For even though, the man was battling dementia they still found happiness in art, the simplicity of living and their pet. I like this form too, it's interesting. Is iambic pentameter and tetrameter a component of this style? Thanks for sharing this poem!

[William Michael Reeves]

I need to figure out a way to post a pic of one of his pieces with this. Thanks for the idea, and nice review. No meter requirements in this form, but I was conscious of it. If the line had nice cadence I went with it. Sometimes trochaic, sometimes iambic, sometimes both. Thanks Aura.

[Aura]

My pleasure :) you should definitely add one of his pieces with your poem! Thanks for the information, I'll keep that in mind.

[Cherrie Palmer]

What makes this poem even richer is the real life friendship you showcase.

[William Michael Reeves]

Rich is right. Down here helping them for awhile and this relationship must be the richest. Richard gave me a title, 'love finds a sad man' and wanted me to include dogs or cats. Poetic serendipity when your inspiration just happens to be right in front of you. We both agreed the title had to change. Thanks Cherrie

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Woww such an awesomely narrated poem, touching too on a couple who've been through thick and thin and i found the stanza with 'happy hearts purred' so heartwarming. I admire this rhyme scheme and plan to try it someday. Kudos!!

Plz also check out my two newest poems and then pleez comment on one of these two poems that you prefer. Thanks

[John the Baptist]

I once worked in a chronic disease hospital where there were a lot of patients with dementia. Sad to watch. Much rather have a merciful cardiac arrest.

[William Michael Reeves]

I've been sharing the reviews with them. Yours got a knowing laugh in complete agreement. I thought the cat bit would catch you. I seem to remember a poem of yours ...

[John the Baptist]

Glad to hear they were amused. Dementia is like a long walking backward slowly.

[Coyote Poetry]

So many wonderful lines in the poetry Williams.
"So, grace lifts sadness, life filled with gladness
both, they and their happy hearts purred ...
memories together transferred."
The above lines stayed with me. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[William Michael Reeves]

Thank you. The purring line did make me purr, for sure! And your review makes my heart stir while both my mind and pen concur that another I should definitely conjure.

Thank you kindly,
Billigami

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing poem and you are welcome.