E N I G M A (upon the path)

BALLAD in 8/6-count: The Universe of time is ours to travel …

E N I G M A

⊰----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------⊱

Upon the road, we look both ways;

such wonders to behold.

What came before and lies ahead

is said to be foretold.

When gazing back at times long past, 

some great, some not so good,

each thought is turned to lessons learned,

more clearly understood.

Then, glancing fore, t'ward that to come,

the vision ends quite near …

not yet revealed, what shall be found,

beyond that veil so sheer.

With earnest hope and smiles intact, 

on each day we embark;

by faith we seek, with every step, 

to cancel out the dark.

No doubt, it's faith that lights the way,

held high by wisdom's hand;

we're drawn toward a nearing gate,

into uncharted land.

Then, forward strive and not surmise 

we've lived our lives in vain;

if faith we keep, rewards we'll reap,

with lasting peace our gain.

Tho, peace be rarest treasure, true ...

one wonders, yet, as-well,

"What was it the foretellers told,

and to whom did they tell?"

⊰----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------⊱

Richard W Jenkins

©2015

Author's Note

BALLAD Form
Syllable count:
8/6/8/6
Rhyme scheme:
abcb, defe, etc.

Constructive critique is always welcome … it is the way we learn and better our skills! : )

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

This is poetry my friend.
"Then, glancing fore, t'ward that to come,
the vision ends quite near …
not yet revealed, what shall be found,
beyond that veil so sheer."
I loved the above lines. I could write a epic tale from. I believe, what we do today. Matters. Life is a wild ride and we hope. We can land on our feet. Not our a*s. Outstanding poetry shared Richard.
Coyote

[Richard🖌]

A most beautifully laid review, John ✍

I thank you most heartedly for reading this rather intrinsically directed piece, and for sharing your appreciation, enjoyment, and keen words of wisdom … a poem in themselves.

Blessings, My Very Fine Friend! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Cherrie]

So smooth, Richard, and love how you turn a phrase. There is nothing more poetic than a ballad. This is a gift to the reader.

[Richard🖌]

Greetings and salutations, Lady Cherrie 🎵

Thank you ever-so warmly and sincerely for reading this rather preachy piece, for your praise, and loving anything from my humbly grateful pen.

A gift, indeed, as is the always welcome and inspiring loveliness singing in your words! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Cherrie]

:) i didn't find it preachy in the least.

[Richard🖌]

I'm very happy to know this. : )

[Cherrie]

I tried writing a Waka and a candlelight poem. I may try one more (different style)after work.

[Richard🖌]

Ah-so, Cherreie ⛩️

The Yamato-Uta (or, Waka = Japanese Poem) includes Tanka, Choka, Sedoka, and Busso-Kuse-Kika, each composed in a variety of 5 and 7 syllable variations.
This is a bold and worthy challenge for any inspired poet to undertake, but ohhh so rewarding and enjoyable to successfully accomplish.
For your convenience and interest, I'll message them to you.
Which of the Waka did you attempt?

The only Candlelight form I know of is a very challenging one created by a very good friend of mine, Christina Jussaume, sometime in early 2000.

What it the style (form?) you might try after work, Cherrie?
I'm quite interested in what you're up to these days. : )

[Cherrie]

I'm stalling on a story. Therefore, I've been working on my rhymes :)

[Richard🖌]

Good girl!

[barleygirl]

I love the word enigma. Your poem celebrates the enigma that is life. I chafe at poems that try to define life too much & this is why I love your poem becuz it doesn't. We never know what the next enigma might be, so it's better to open up our channels & be receptive to whatever it might be, trying not to grind on whatever might've come to pass previously. Faith is all about flying blind. I like your rhyme & rhythm in this poem, feels appropriately bouncy with a lilt (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Richard🖌]

Most wonderfully rendered, Dear Margie 🍂

I can't help but be warmed in the glow of how you let me know you love anything about this poem, even though, you normally don't embrace how its topic is rendered by others … this makes me feel all the more special in your eyes, and "that", M'Dear, blesses me beyond mere words.

I always love the tidbits of wisdom you leave, and those (((HUGS))) … oh-MY! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

This is full of truth and realities. Full of facts that travel deeply into the minds that are ready to accept them.
Believe me Sir. As long as I'm concerned about this piece of writing, it's really talking to people who are ready to understand how life operates and how we can deal with it.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so sincerely Syr Poet!
Your words in review of this rather insightful verse of simple homage to the search for spiritual truth, are exactly the gratifying reward an olde bard hopes for when he writes and shares poetry.

A fine review from a fine mind, I am truly grateful for your thoughts … my humble blessings to thee1 ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

It's my pleasure, Sir.

[Karmee]

by faith we seek, with every step,
to cancel out the dark.
No doubt, it's faith that lights the way,
held high by wisdom's hand;

Sheer magniff words here, This is so written. I enjoy Ballad forms. They are quite tricky and require lots of concentration in which I don't have. This is so well done. Awesome write

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Kit : )
A warm welcome to my pages … I am so happy you chose one of my humble little pieces to read and comment on in your beautifully inspiring voice.
The lines you highlight are among my favorites, too.

Thank you ever-so gratefully for such gracious praise and expressed appreciation … hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[lightsong]

Yes, it's faith, nothing but faith, and that's why I even love Your poem more because You repeated the "word" Faith few times as if You are pointing and highlighting it for those who can't see to "see", yesterday I was reading another poem about the same subject by John (from WN), You might be interested in reading it here, a true intelligent human being,

https://www.writerscafe.org/writing/JCVA1/2120382/

we all have our answers to search for, without it the motivations of living fade away, some don't search for answers but for their own truths, we might even find nothing at the end, but that's the mystery of life, if we lived without ambition we are dead walking of earth. I always wished to write with simplicity to deliver my thoughts, but don't know why wherever I start writing only long and complicated sentences come lol

[Richard🖌]

Ah, Dearest Ghounwah 🌿
Such a pleasure it truly is to enjoy your presence, and you always inspiring words of keen intelligence and wisdom.

Yes, I must wholeheartedly agree with all you've offered; for, without "faith": "Those things embraced and believed-in without the need for proof", we'd live a life of paranoia, suspicion, insecurity, and uncertainty, because not all that is real is provable or visible … some things we must depend on instinct, intuition, insight to grasp and perceive correctly, and by virtue of those infinite powers contained in the highest levels of consciousness, along with the unseen truths it reveals.

I'll be sure to read John's post … I'd certainly not wish to miss the words of "a truly intelligent human being".

Not all truth is simple or adequately explained with but a few words … I'd agree you've spoken far more beyond that which your words contain, but your words always seem to reach deeper into the human mind, heart, and soul than most others' do.

Bless you and thank you ever-so warmly for sharing You* with Me ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Willard Wells]

Nice piece and the wish for peace which has become very rare. It seems the best we can do is find some peace within ourselves as we wait on the world.

[Richard🖌]

Willard,
How true your words, My Friend, for it is from deep within the glow of peace is born, nourished, and sustained.
Bless you and thank you, Willard, for gifting your thoughtful praise and wise words! ⁓ Richard

[...]

What a thought-full and beautiful song you wrote. I love the wonder of living, and I call it a song because your heart sings in this. I love learning, it's such an adventure, and nature makes my heart race, and thought-full and beautiful poetry makes me smile :)

[Richard🖌]

Ah, dear Lynn,
All you attributed to yourself, you've inspired in me; for your words are as a song unto the rhythms of my soul.
I love writing for you … thank you most warmly, Lynn! ⁓ Richard

[SquinklaPsyOps]

This poem sings... to a decisive tune.

"Then, forward strive and not surmise
we've lived our lives in vain;
if faith we keep, rewards we'll reap,
with lasting peace our gain."

Powerfully sustained, your quatrain construction is smooth! and your subject matter is intriguing.

Best wishes.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Anika! : )
Your review, a lovely poem within itself, tugs at me to sigh from the enjoyed warmth you've gifted a hopeful bard's humble effort.

Thank you, too,for your kind wishes … warmest smiles 'n hugs to you! ⁓ Richard

[Collyn]

Richard,
This poem is absolutely beautiful. I've read it over so many times now I have practically memorized it. I really like how well it flows. It is very easy to read aloud. I love the way you compare the past and the future to a road. I read through the reviews on this poem and you replied to one of them saying that there is no past, present, or future, only in the limited scope of the human mind. That statement is my overall favorite idea to write about. I liked the way you described it in that review reply.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Collyn!
Yours is the kind of review that makes every poet feel the earnest desires of their efforts to satisfy their reader has proven worthwhile, and you most certainly made me feel it … your comments have not only gratified and rewarded me, they, also, have encouraged and inspired me to shine my olde pen and fill it with new ink.
Yes, My Friend, it seems we are on the same page in the philosophical reality of time … thank you for recognizing and complimenting me for how we virtually relate in my other review.
Thank you, too, for your praise of this poem … brightest blessings upon you! ⁓ Richard