Where Once We Wandered

~ a heartprint ~

Better by far you should forget and smile

than that you should remember and be sad…Christina Rossetti

 

         

 

 

Of golden days on sunlit shores…

                                the footprints

                       where once we wandered

 

Your face fades as another May

finds me upon uneven shores

searching to fill the hidden place

that called to you a thousand times

hazy among the ocean’s roar

 

Where visions of an early summer

pales in the wake of rising tides

over rocks

                                  and sand

                                                 and memories

of lovers strolling warm together

 

With toes curled in the silken sand

in youthful waters gentle flow,

now swept away from tender shores…

in soft whispers without regret

only smooth words  winging hopes and dreams

                                     like butterflies painted of spring

 

And yet this place still shelters me

and seems to leave me with a smile

a safe haven where yesterday

will ebb and flow upon the tide

carving with time, the sun warmed rocks

much like my heart,

                                       or could it be

scarred to long, etched too deep

for footprints

                                  where once we wandered

Reviews

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Memories ebb and flow, come ashore sweeping the present away, and then washing back out to sea, leaving the ghost of their presence behind. You have etched them beautifully, carving their echoes in words that resound for all to hear.

I love how words just sing: "sunlit shores, "face fades," "lovers strolling," and "silken sand."

One small correction: "scarred to long," should be "scarred too long."

Beautiful!

[MsJewel]

Thank you for your wonderful comment :) Julie

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Sweet memories in soft words and tender sentences. Beautiful as ever, Julie. :) Rudi

[MsJewel]

Thank you Rudi :) Julie

[Rifatt Mir]

The romance,The memories,The beauty of the place where these memories reside..Amazingly described :)
The place with memories of past is still your place,still the best one.
Well written jewel :)

[MsJewel]

Thank you for your kind words :) Julie

[Seriana]

Definitely a heart-tugger, this piece. There always seems to be that one place that pains, yet comforts. Filled with hope in memories, though maybe they ought not to be. I felt like it was speaking to me. A lovely write. :)

[MsJewel]

I'm thrilled you enjoyed it. Thanks so much :) Julie

[ANTO]

forgetting is perhaps the sister-minds way of assisting sister-heart to deal with her agonies...
and yet forgetting can itself be painful. A bittersweet part of being human.

"...of rising tides
over rocks
and sand
and memories" - I really like how your layout (not reproduced well here due to the proclivities of the review box) - suggests the leaping of the surf over obstacles here Julie. Its well thought out and a skill I'd love to learn. Well done!

You really, really are on top form with this one my friend. Just divine writing.

[MsJewel]

Your reviews are always so encouraging Anto. Thank you :) Julie

[Confuser]

Julie: What's not to adore? The memories of a the past, the vision you have painted with the accompanying artwork is so beautiful. I loved it all especially the last few lines or could it be scarred to long, etched too deep for footprints where we once wandered. The images are fantastic and it reminded me of many days at the shore and my best friend, every summer finding a friend, we were young, probably not even a kiss but the sadness persisted after they left, and we would sit and ponder our "lost love." Everything you write is so magical, full of emotions, I always hate to leave, waiting for another RR of yours to come my way. No one write like you. Gorgeous! Thank you so very much. Dale

[MsJewel]

Thank you for your lovely comment and compliment Dale. I'm a big fan of your poetry as well. :) Julie

[Confuser]

Julie, that's sweet of you to say, but YOU are an accomplished poet.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I fell so in love with the beaches here in California when I first came out. They are by far some of the best in the country, which I'm certain you'd agree.

I believe the ebb and flow of this resonates through your very soul as a poet, Julie...to touch the heart of your readers. You have considerably defined love by leaps and bounds, with words and their indelible impressions!

My best,
Kelly

[MsJewel]

I love the beaches here - we truly are blessed to live in this paradise. Thank you for your lovely words Kelly. :) Julie

[Sami Khalil]

Without regret, your poems are safe havens for the romantics, for the wanderers and for the passionate. Stunning with great imagery and those emotions...They flow to their destination.

[MsJewel]

You are very kind Sami. Thank you :) Julie

[Sami Khalil]

My pleasure.

[rubie]

This one definitely resonated with me and my incurable romantic soul.

"..the hidden place that called you a thousand times". What an incredibly beautiful and passionate line that is.

Simply lovely.

[MsJewel]

Thank you for your kind words Rubie :) Julie

[poet2angels (lynda)]

SO much emotion in this piece and I LOVE the form..This reads beautifully when read aloud as well!

Lynda

[MsJewel]

Thank you for your kind words Lynda :) Julie

[poet2angels (lynda)]

:)

[R Smith]

pure romantic beauty Julie, i feel like i've missed your work for some time, always gorgeous visuals and passionate lines 'golden days, where once we wandered' its a treat to wander there with you, bravo :)

[MsJewel]

Thank you Richard :) Julie