Beside the pond ⁓ (wistful)

Free Verse

    

       

      Beside the pond ~

          Alone,

          I sat beside the pond

          this morning.

          Early sun ...

          vibrant in its warm flush

          of golden welcome

          came cascading down

          from treetops' glow,

          embracing grass,

          gifting colors vividly alive,

          lifting flowers' faces …

          with their honey-pollened smiles.

          I was amazed

          at how the breeze knew

          I missed you

          or was even thinking of you,

          but I’d swear

          it touched mine with your cheek,

          slid a wisp of your locks

          across my shoulder,

          and became the sweetness

          of your breath.

 

          Olive oil and rose bouquet ...

          ... it hung for awhile

          in the morning air,

          a fragrant marker

          along a trail of yesterdays,

          leading to You ...

          places of dreams and hope,

          of love and laughter

          and impossible possibilities.

 

          I almost started to believe

          I’d turn my head ~

          and you’d be there.

          Each year

          has come and gone …

          You, like fertile mana

          ever glowing, growing

          in my heart.

          It’s said all things end,

          and walking back to the house

          I sensed that coming truth,

          as Autumn's leaves

          began falling

          like tears ~

          washing around

          my feet.

              Richard W. Jenkins

                        ©2015

1st Place

"Poetry About Loss Contest"

Author's Note

Picture is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Constructive criticism is always welcomed and appreciated. : )

I was asked to post a Free Verse for a change; so, here one is … hope you enjoy.

Reviews

[Norman T]

I loved the gentle imagery that you created, that ended with a poignancy indicated by the falling leaves.
Although not normally a writer ( or lover) of free verse, I felt that this worked particularly well. You may have helped to change my inhibited views. Thank you.

[Richard🖌]

Hello, Norman! : )
It is so nice to see you here today, M'Friend, finding something to love in this beautifully poignant piece, filled with the flow gentle emotion.
Your comments and praise have certainly gratified my efforts to write, share, in hopes of pleases my knowing readers — those like You.
It is certainly rewarding to know my poem may have inspired your beginning to enjoy the Free Verse genre of poetry, broadening your appreciation a bit more, let's say. The one thing I know is, we can always keep growing, eh?
Norman, I thank you so very sincerely for stoping-in to enjoy one of my poems … please, feel free to do so anytime, My Fine Friend! ⁓ Richard

[Richard🖌]

For those who might wonder:
The six deletions above were controversial comments from a wrongly disgruntled being, who took my response to Norman's review out of context.

[Great Aunt Astri]

oooooo, oh dear1

[K writes]

I don't see anything wrong with Norman's review.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Kay✨
Your kindness is so gracious … it was not Norman's review, it something misinterpreted in my response to Norman's review that got her knickers in a wad.
Privately, she apologized and all was set straight between us … I never like to let misunderstandings go without making peace.

You're a sweetheart, Kay … thanks again. RJ 🍃

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

Your poetic words paint such a vivid picture of the morning. It's amazing how nature can make us feel so alive and connected to our surroundings. Your words remind me to take a moment to appreciate the beauty around me.

[Richard🖌]

I've fallen so far behind,

After my teaching retirement, being offline for so long, and not commenting on reviews, I'm making a quick thank you with a very grateful acknowledgment to everyone for their wonderful input and feedback.

Big smiles 'n hugs to one and all! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Elaine]

So yes, Richard, I do relate to this free verse. I love it! This starts so full and gives the impression of deep connection to the writer and to all of nature soaking up the sun. Then it turns a bit, seeming like nature aligns with the writer and begins to feel the loss, change and transition happening literally and metaphorically. I'm looking forward to reading more.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Elaine 🥀

Nothing stirs an olde bard's hopes of pleasing his readers than receiving a review letting him know how his humble poetry is relatable in such wondrously pleasing ways.
And, to know you love anything about my poetry is unexpected praise … your touching words in review, a lovely poem in themselves.
The manners in which you express your take let's me know your've read and understand the essence of my own words' meanings.
I hope the structure of this Free Verse piece will offer you some ideas for yours.

Warmest, most grateful blessings of thanks to you, Elaine ⁓ Richard 🍂

[W. Barrett Munn]

Nicely rendered and again I prefer this to heavily structured - but that's just me. The nice thing is that this poem has a pleasant rhythm to it, which is not easy in free verse. Congrats.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Barrett,

For selecting this gentle Free Verse piece to read and review; some truly gratifying and encouraging feedback you've left … I'm so very pleased you found favor in it.
As to comparing different forms, it's great when a poet can become equally skilled at composing in any form, because the mastering of each form makes for a more fully capable, flexible, and powerful poet.
It's true what you said about rhythm in Free Verse … after syntax, imagery, and metaphor, the secret lies is in timing of enjambment and linebreaks.

Thank you for your graciously inspiring praise! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Lisasview]

Okay, maybe I was wrong to say that I liked the writing of sonnets most of all because when reading your free verse poetry it made me think how much I like this style as well..
Being a beginner in all this.. with years of writing with no idea what I was doing has bearing on what I am seeing now..

[Richard🖌]

Salutations, Dear Lady-Poet🥂

When you speak so fondly of being drawn to different forms of poetry, I see it as your true poetic heart expressing thoughts, feelings, and emotions that have been related to and touched in unique and special ways.
This tells of your poetical potential in a manner nothing else quite can.

It's such a gratifying thrill to know you relate so nicely with my kinds of poetry.
Thank you ever-so warmly! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[K writes]

I sensed that coming truth,
as Autumn's leaves
began falling
like tears ~
washing around
my feet.

I sense a heart warming read with lots of emotions flowing through,
Like tears washing around my feet... One could also feel incomplete.
As Autumn leaves falls like tears....One feels lonely around here..

Awesome writing, I couldn't help myself including a rhyme. Nicely written

[Richard🖌]

Wow, Dear Kay!😳

Another review?!!!
You're spoiling me, but I'm keeping every one of 'em … LOL!
I'm really enjoying the lines you've selected to highlight, as they are some my faves, too, as they seem to talk to us both in some special way.
Your shared touches of feeling and emotion that swept me senses so gently, like a soft, warm breeze, and I loved your fondly fetching rhymes.

Thank you for such inspiring words of praise, Kay -- it's a good feeling to be so enjoyed and appreciated. ; )

Warmest hugs to Thee ⁓ Richard 🍃

[poetgurl]

Not sure what Mana is, but i enjoyed this write. I like poems that rhyme.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Dear Lady K🌸

It's so nice of you to select one of my Free Verse pieces to read and comment on. It's true this type of form does not rhyme, but I've many more poems posted for your enjoyment that do.
I like poems that rhyme, too, but I like many kinds of poems. : )
According to Webster's Dictionary, "mana" is a noun and is described as a pervasive supernatural or magical power (especially in Polynesian, Melanesian, and Maori belief).

It's wonderful knowing you "enjoyed this write" … I'm truly grateful.
Thank you ever-so warmly! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[no tell writer]

there is a lot you can do while sitting next to a pond, pick up a rock and skip it across, and listen to echoes among the winds. Sitting by a pond is beautiful write here.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Katzie🌼

Your praise and relatability with this piece tells me you've spent your own time dreaming beside the pond. : )

Hugs 'n smiles! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Firebird]

I'm not surprised you got first place in a poetry about loss contest for this. It is very good.

[Richard🖌]

You've bade my heart smile 'n blush 😌

[Firebird]

Aw! I love this one. The imagery in the final part is particularly lovely. Falling leaves like tears. Hope Spring brought new hope and sunshine.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Poetess🌸

For your beautiful wishes … Spring seems to always touch my senses in wondrously warming ways.
That you love anything about my humble poetic efforts swirls bliss through my senses.

It pleases me your choice of lines to highlight are among my favorite, too.
Warmest hugs to You⁓ Richard 🍃

[Azifwecare]

First I must comment on the pictures you chose. Lovely and just perfect for your poem.
Not sure what led me to this poem in particular against all the others, it was a strong pull and so here I am. Perhaps there was something I was meant to read in your words. It is a lovely poem Richard. I've read it 3x in one sitting. Pondering. Your words are like music.

[Richard🖌]

Dear AWC 😊

I truly enjoyed your beautifully warming sentiments of this rather reflectively yearning Free Verse piece.
Your praise and expressed appreciation are such a tender touch.

Thank you ever-so warmly, Lady-Poet! ⁓ Richard 🍃