Wildflowers ⁓ (endearing)

Quatrains (in 10/8 count, abcb, defe, etc; rhyme scheme … hope you enjoy)

       Wildflowers ~

--------------------~**~--------------------------------------------

   Oft’ slow I'll pass by the Olde Flower Shop,

   adore each delightful bouquet,

   considering you'd most surely love one,

   but I lack the coinage to pay.

   Hang then my head low in sorrowful shame,

   strolling sadly on down the road ...

   knowing how I have once more let you down,

   and it's not so easy a load.

   Money troves in the bank, nor great riches,

   not likely I'll own very much;

   yet, all I have to give is yours, my love ...

   I'm not very handsome, as such.

   My eyes dimmer, too ... tho, still just as blue;

   this old heart beats warmly and strong,

   while all the time, my thought’s dwelling on You,

   I know they're there ~ where they belong.

   I dream of being your deserving man,

   days in-love you'll smile upon me;

   all the world alive in its lovely glow,

   my spirit soars higher and free.

   There 'long the roadside...hopeful, they beckon,

   their colors so vividly strong,

   in the breeze, lovely wildflowers dancing;

   like You ~ in my heart they belong.

   There are so many, they beg to be picked,

   but I’m not that greedy a guy,

   softly caressing the textures of each,

   grateful hands agree with the eye.

   With bounty held close, aromas so sweet,

   no wider smile my face has known.

   No vase yet received a lovelier treat,

   nor flora from God's fields e’er grown.

   It's said I'm not all that much to look at,

   my body is not quite as buff;

   my hair's thinned-out now, all silver 'n grey,

   and my love is never enough.

   Yet, I'll strive to be a more worthy man

   with money enough that you'll know,

   I can afford the most gorgeous bouquet

   a man's hand did ever bestow.

   Down on my knees, I'll present it with love,

   while begging your forgiveness, too ...

   that I'm not up to par, lacking by far,

   but I'll try my heart out for You.

   Meanwhile, darling dear, I hope You can hear

   the soft urging beat of my heart.

   It's murmuring to You, "Please, accept true,

   these Wildflowers ~ as a new start."

--------------------~**~--------------------------------------------

                    Richard W. Jenkins

                       © 11 June 2011

               Writer's Contest Winner

                            

           Nature Poetry Contest Winner

Author's Note

One from the archives.

Critical reviews are always welcome. : )

Reviews

[J.J. NIGHTINGALE]

Beautiful, soft ..

" ..lovely wildflowers dancing; like You ~ in my heart they belong."

I don't know if this is fiction ..or a memory related..

Either way, it touches my heart .. and I imagine how I would have felt
being wooed in such a sweet, and heart-full manner..............

Jazz

[Richard🖌]

There is one thing I know for certain, Jazz,
Your review cuts through the surface and soaks to the core, like a warming breeze that knows no bounds, and your gentle, feminine voice rings sweet upon the ear.

Almost all my poems are from imagination, unless comments say otherwise, and most assuredly I love how this one effects you so nicely … and, I can imagine you being wooed as romantically heartfelt as you feel this one is. : )

Hug you with blessing all over for enriching my moment with such sweetness! ~ Richard

[J.J. NIGHTINGALE]

You are most welcome ................ ♥

[robert harris jr]

very nice writting and style

[Richard🖌]

Thank you for reading.

[Richard🖌]

And, for the compliments.

[Dave]

If money is the requirement to make you a more worthy man, then surely she is not worthy of your love. So many flowers in the field surpass those found in the flower shop. Again, love isn't found in the wallet, it is found in the heart.
Thank you Richard and take care - Dave

[Richard🖌]

Dear Dave 🌿

No truer words of a worthy woman and the sincere heart were ever spoken, My Friend; but, knowing your keen insights, I would expect no less.
I thank you sincerely for sharing this little romantic piece, and for the gift of your gracious words of wisdom. 🙏🏼

You take good care, too, Dave! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Dave]

Thank you for your kind words. I'm not too keen on what you may consider "insights". Perhaps it's just because I've been around for so long that those "insights " are borne of 83 years of experience. Some of which I may have actually learned from.
Dear friend, take care of yourself - Dave

[Betty Hermelee]

asking for forgiveness, wanting her love...he has to impress a little and wildflowers cost nothing....he has to convince her that he is the most handsome person on earth, not exactly up to par...but his love will be forever.... some beautiful lines and words here Richard...I would certainly be convinced!
Warmly, B

[Richard🖌]

Warmest smiles, Dear Betty 🤗

Are the lovely gifts your gentle words have bestowed upon this humbly hopeful bard's grateful soul.
To think you'd be convinced by any single aspect of your appealing discernments from my writing, is far above any complimentary rewards expected, but I'm keeping them anyway … wink*

Thank you, Dear Poetess, for reading and blessing me! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Betty Hermelee]

My pleasure indeed Richard🌷
Warmly,
B.

[emmajoygreen]

Wild flowers are gifts given by angels, artists and air. So many are healers and eternal friends, there for the taking, even more - for always if loved. Your words are beautiful, worthy of learning, remembering. Each phrase offers love for the all around and - to finish, for your forever love.

' With bounty held close, aromas so sweet,
no wider smile my face has known.
No vase yet received a lovelier treat,
nor flora from God's fields e’er grown'

[Richard🖌]

Gentlest greetings, Dear Em 🥀🐝

I can think of nothing more endearing or deeply touching than the resplendent effect of your intricate glow of poetry in expressing the most perfect grace a humble bard could wish to receive from one he'd so fervently hoped to please … such a brilliantly accomplished poetess and master gardener of flora, in her own right.
Then, the verse you've embraced is the heartbeat of this tender piece … one of my faves, as-well.

Thank you sincerely, Em, for your most lovely review!
Graciously grateful, as ever! ⁓ Richard🖌

[emmajoygreen]

Your words are wonderful and I meant every word, sir. :)

[Richard🖌]

I hadn't a doubt⁓*
Blush!

[Poetic Beauty]

So I have come and read this one for a second time and I still feel the same. Money can be a cold cruel tomb

[Richard🖌]

Thank you for taking a second bite of the apple … You truly honor Me. 🙏

[Poetic Beauty]

You are welcome!!

[Marie]

To me, this poem is a true masterpiece from The Master's hands. The story of a poor boy's love is hauntingly inked in this exquisite penning. The savoury sweet of love and passion is mixed in with the salty bitterness of poverty. One of the greatest, if not the greatest, love poems I have ever read and the portrait of your love for your beloved is sketched in perfect rhythm and rhyme. The poem flows as smoothly as a rivulet meandering its way to the river. The intensity of your love for your beloved is so deep it is fathomless in the ocean of love. There is a beautiful charming quality about this gorgeous romantic poem. I have to tell you dear poet, that I would prefer a bouquet of a poor man's beautiful wild flowers (can almost smell their woodland scent as I write) than all of a rich man's gold. Your golden poetic pen was on fire when you wrote this 'magnum opus' and it is no surprise at all that it won first prize, dear Richard. Heartiest and warmest Congratulations to you. A privilege to read and comment on. Thank you for sharing with me...

[Richard🖌]

Good morning, Dear Lady-Poet 🌤

From stormy Texas to Thee across the sea in beautiful Éireann.
If nothing else, the one thing I've learned about you is how thoroughly you read my poems, the depths in which your lovely, gentle heart and keen mind understand them, and with such skill that rivals the manner of your remarkably expressed reflections relate all of each one to me. Your brightly effulgent, detailed sentiments to this sweetly romantic tale in Rhyming Quatrains is the epitome of what every hope-filled poetess' and poet's dream review would surely ever be.

"One of the greatest, if not the greatest, love poems I have ever read" … sighhh!

The glow emanating from your graciously warm and glistering words light the core of a bard's heart from the inside-out -- in ways he could never expect, such that his pen simply cannot match them, but he most humbly accepts and will keep close to his grateful breast.

You are truly welcome, and I thank you as-well … ever-so sincerely.
Hugs to Thee, Dear Marie ⁓ Richard🖌

[Patricia Wedel]

Flowers are never out of style.... like your smile... they bring a heart full of
Roses and Starburst Lillies from Piccadilly. Rhyming is like climbing up to the Heavens
where Bluebirds and Mourning Doves bring Love everlasting. tenderly, Pat

[Richard🖌]

Ahhh, My Lovely-hearted Pat 💐

Sighhh*
What a most beautifully rendered, poetic review for my humble little homage to hope filled romance … you've dipped a bard's heart a sweet swoon.

Thank you ever-so, warmly … big HUGS! ⁓ Richard 🌾

[Patricia Wedel]

Wow… you are a Legend in your own time…
Very gracious and kind. Blessings for you. tenderly, Pat

[Lisasview]

Good morning,
Not easy to find a poem of yours that I have not read (and, often reread) but lucky me to have found this gem of yours ... early this morning..
I love everything about it...From the image to the colors...and most importantly the thoughts..
The story of love shines through from beginning to end.
The wanting is found between the lines.
I just loved this one of yours dear Richard.
Lisa, early morning

[Richard🖌]

Good afternoon to you, Dear Lady-Poet ✍

How wonderful it is to receive the kind and gentle warmth from your expressions of enjoyment and appreciation for this romantic little poem in homage to hopeful love. And, that you love it, gifts an enthralling blush … to say the least.

I am giddy that you take time to wander through my humble pieces for something new to read and review for me, and with such aplomb and encouraging praise … sighhh, I need ALL I can get! 😏

Thank you, Dear Lisa … big HUG! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Lisasview]

Ha ha.
Yes, we all need all we can get... These reviews inspire us to write even more..right?!
Hugs, L

[poetgurl]

Such a wonderful and beautiful write.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Lady K 🥀

Your sweet accolades make writing and sharing feel so very worthwhile.

Bless your kind heart! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[no tell writer]

hat I'm not up to par, lacking by far,
but I'll try my heart out for You.

Love these lines here, this is a beautiful write.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Katzie 🐝

I, too, favor those particular lines … it seems we see fondly agree. : )
Thank you for selecting this lovely little poem in homage to true love to read, review, and praise for me.

With grateful hugs 'n blessings! ⁓ Richard 🍃