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 ................ ♥

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

The most romantic of gestures cannot be purchased with money or coin. The richest of gifts are always bestowed from the heart such as your wildflower words. You obviously have a garden that is overflowing with petals. It's a pleasure to meet you in the garden of verse.

[Richard🖌]

Dear Linda,
I love how your words of wisdom and understanding make me feel and so perfectly compliment this sweetly romantic little piece.
Yes, in my garden are many paths to stroll, endless flowers and little beings to enjoy … may I take your hand? : )

Thank you so very-very much for your visit and for selecting this lovely piece to read and review, Linda; to receive such comments from one as accomplished as you means so much to me … warmest hugs 'n blessings to you, Dear Poetess! ~ Richard

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

As I'm sure you understand, it was a great honor and privilege to stumble upon your work last night. I always love and admire and appreciate those who take obvious pride in what they write and pay particular attention to both form and content. I appreciate the classics that are classic for just those reasons. It is I who am honored.

[Sydney]

usually I'm not one for the old english style language, but this is an exception. Written very smoothly and eloquently,. There's not many like you around these days, glad to come across this gem. Keep on keeping on friend ~

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Sydney! : )
It is wonderful to receive your words in review and praise for me and this humble verse.

I am thinking you are as unique as you think I am, in rarity, and I'd be willing to bet your sentiments about me and my poem will match mine of You and yours … smiles and most grateful thanks to you for gracing me so nicely with your presence, Dear Sydney! ~ Richard

[Gee]

Glad I stumbled upon this,loved it.

[Richard🖌]

Well, I loved your exuberance and praise — keep stumbling; there are more on here … LOL!

Thank a bunch for reading and commenting! ~ Richard

[Kelly Scheppers]

...my heart breaks from the tenderness you've penned so brilliantly! I love it!

[Richard🖌]

Awww, you made my heart swoon, Kelly.
You're so sweet to let me know we've connected through this wee poem of gentle romance … I know my efforts have been worthwhile.

Bless you with my warmest hug of thanks! ~ Richard

[Kelly Scheppers]

You are most welcomed. I look forward to reading more!

[Nadia B.]

Best apology poem ever written I believe, truly a masterpiece. A worn man, with only love left to give seeking wild flowers for his beloved, such precious sight you procure in the mind. How delightful it would be, walking the streets of old London, to see this outside the window of a flower shop, I'm certain all would buy. My only suggestion is for your 7th stanza, (understandably was used to fit in with a challenging rhyme scheme,) the word "guy", does break a little bit from the imagery of an old worn man, as 'guy' is usually used for a younger fella, however that said don't change the original please. 'Guy' here makes great use of alliteration and shows how the old man, him speaking, still thinks of himself as being young, at least at heart, and again it rhymes well, keeping with the flow. Really well written, thanks for sharing, please keep writing!

[Richard🖌]

Gosh, Nadia!
To receive such wondrous and encouraging praise form one so accomplished as yourself truly melts me into my socks … I think you've made me blush! : )
I feel the warm fuzzies glowing all over me from the screen, and I love it!
Ya, know, Nadia, there might have been a tug the moment I typed-in "guy", but if there was, I must have zipped right by it, and ya know, rhyming for me just sorta flows out as it comes, and I don't ever recall using a word just to make it fit the rhyme … it has to make sense, or it just doesn't fit.
Here (in Texas), a guy is just a man, as is mate, fella, chap, etc; and it never really dawned on me to think of "guy" in any other sense, but from now on, every time I type or say "guy", I'll think of You.

Smiles 'n hugs of warmest thanks to you for such a fantastic review, and for your input that will always be appreciated and desired, Dear Nadia! ~ Richard

[Annie Gryphon]

what can i say?, i always love your poems, they have such a strong sound, the words are always well-chosen, the message is so lovely each time. I can only hope that you gave all your poems to the woman you love and were not keeping them secret.
And this will be your last post for awhile? Oh no. Maybe you change your plan ...

[Richard🖌]

Annie, you touch my heart in such a beautiful way … it brings a smile to see your name on one of my little efforts, because I know there will be sweetness and appreciation waiting for me.
I shall be posting again in no time … meanwhile, I've some on here you've not yet reviewed, so I'll love it when you do. : )

Hugs and blessings of thanks to you, Dear Poetess! ~ Richard