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 🍃

[Ankita Dwivedi]

For a special someone.. I believe.. The way you described everything it was just soo amazing.. THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBILITIES I feel everytime you sit and even scribble, you weave something good and as beautiful as ever. Hope you someday gonna teach me to write like this, dear Ric.
Love, Ankita

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so sincerely, Dear Ankita 🍁

There is such depth and feeling radiating from your gracious words in review, that I am left a bit humbled, inspired, gratified, and most certainly warmed. by their very level of understanding clarity and expressed sense of appreciation and amazement.
What more could a hopeful bard ask of his readers(?) … I do not know, but wholly accept your fulsome take of this rather gently sad Free Verse poem.
Because you've mention it, I will elaborate on the source of this piece: Only a very rare few of my poems are written with a particular person in mind … this one completely from imagination, feelings, emotions, observation of life and Nature, and from the nuances of circumstances I've seen or actually experienced in some impacting way.
As for teaching your to write like I do, we each have our own styles, and I happen to feel about yours the same way you do about mine, but we both can always learn and get better at our beautiful art, eh? : )

I must apologize for such a longwinded response to your lovely review, Ankita Dear … lets say I was compelled.
Hugs 'n smiles! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[sandra]

This poem is so beautiful. Your words brought tears to my eyes. Your word flows so easily, giving the reader the feeling of the wind that you write about.
My favorite lines:
"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,"

[Richard🖌]

Goodness, Sandra Dear! 😉

How I was able to miss your beautiful review, I have no idea, but I sincerely apologize for being so tardy in expressing my warmhearted gratitude for you sharing the way my humble little poetry affected your tender emotions -- 'tis rarely one will reveal their precious tears to me … sighhh! Sandra, you've touched my heart ever-so softly.
The lines you've selected are among my favorite, too, and are the core of this piece, I think.

Please, come again, Sandra … I like it when you're here.
Warmest hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Rye]

as Autumn's leaves
began falling
like tears ~
washing around
my feet.

love the imagery here and the symbolism here, amazing write

[Richard🖌]

Ahhh, Dear Lady Ryanna 🎭

It seems forever since we last touched and I heard the appeal of your appreciative voice loving something meaningful about one of my humble pieces.
The lines you've selected are the heart of this poem, I think.

Thank you for reading and gently praising this wistfully poignant Free Verse.
With my most gratefully warm hug, Lady Ryanna ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Rye]

well i should be around for a while. I have writing to do and thinking...

[Unspoken poet]

as Autumn's leaves
began falling
like tears ~
washing around
my feet.

Love these lines here, This is so wonderful, I don't know forms too well, I think this is free verse.
Awesome write

[Richard🖌]

Dear Kay-T 🍂

You have come upon one of my most endearing poems, and how correct you are that it is composed in Free Verse form.
Again, you've selected what I fell are the glowing lines of this piece.
When you express that you love something about one of my humble poems I can feel my heart dance, when you follow it with praise I feel it begin to melt. ; )

Thank you ever-so warmly and gratefully for this wonderful review … hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Carolynn]

I love your use of the word (the healing power) of Mana - one I have not heard others use thus far - her memories will always bring you to that place of healing just as the beautiful scenery you described would bring visual healing (thanks to the beauty of nature) This was pure healing from beginning to end and a pleasure to read Richard :)

[Richard🖌]

Um, Carolynn 🍂

What more could an humble bard wish for than the mention of "love" and sweet graciousness flowing from a lovely poetess' warm breath o'er one of his gently laid pieces, in allusion to the sensations of wistfully romantic emotion and yearning.
I know that sounds like a mouthful, but it's exactly what you've inspired from me.
Plus, the depth of your understanding the true essence in my own words serves to assure me how wonderfully we've connected through this piece, and that is rare enough, in itself, to inspire such a response.
"Mana" and I became introduced through a long, involved book I read as a lad by Max Freedom Long, titled, "The Secret Science Behind Miracles", which delved into the religions of early Samoans and the Hawaiian culture.

I must apologize for the exuberance here, M'Lady … my only defense is that you made me do it … smile*
Thank you ever-so warmly, Carolynn ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Carolynn]

Your response has truly made me smile :)) Interesting that "Manna" in the bible was spiritual nourishment from Heaven for those suffering in most desolate conditions out in the wilderness - the book you mention sounds interesting (was it similar in use as in biblical times?)

[Richard🖌]

The ancient word "mana" may well have been used before Biblical Times, Carolynn. From research, the Polynesian culture reaches as far back as 3500 years.

According to Webster:
mana | ˈmänə |
noun
(especially in Polynesian, Melanesian, and Maori belief) pervasive supernatural or magical power.
ORIGIN
Maori.

That "mana" is found in the Bible (half a globe away and the two before cultures ever met) is another mystery to be explored and expounded upon.

[Katrina Mckeown]

sentimentally beautiful ,
love your use of imagery , a captivating piece with a very gentle tone throughout, a sincere and heartfelt poem .
Beautiful poem

[Richard🖌]

Ahhh, M'Lady Katrina 🥀

Your words are as a scintillating caress upon a bard's hopeful senses, touching every fibre of his warmest gratitude that you've connected with the feeling of love in any way with this gentle wisp of romantic yearning.

Bless you, Dear Lady-Poet, for sharing your beautiful heart! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Jennifer Patino]

Such gorgeous imagery! I was easily placed into your scene & think your writing is very beautiful.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so warmly, Lady Jennifer 🌾

The sweet touch of your lovely review embraces a bard with a gracious connection between reader and author in a truly beautiful way.

May your day be as lovely as you've made mine, Dear Poetess! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Betty Hermelee]

Beautiful metaphors of dawn; descriptive words of nature; the sun, the breeze; then memories of a loved one gone; so vivid; it flowed like a water passing over a rock. Just loved it.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Lady Betty✨

In an economy of words, you've conveyed more in warmth, appreciation, and the gently genuine sincerity of emotion than most could in ten verses.

That you "just loved it" swept through my core like flowing sun-warmed silk … thank you, Dear Poetess! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Betty Hermelee]

I told you I love your poetry, and your critiques on mine, truly yours, Betty