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 🍃

[J. J. Nightingale]

I think I like you best..in free verse.. lol
Not fettered by form.. don't you know?
You had me by the heart, from the very start..
As dear Emma wrote, we see a different side of you.

Wonderful..Soft, Sincere....Loving...

Jazz..

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Jasmine, genuinely and sincerely!
When a lady reads and positively expresses her feelings and thoughts so elegantly, concisely, and openly of one of my poems, and my personal self, there is no doubt whatsoever that my heart will smile in warmest, most happily delighted gratitude, and to know you perceive the true me is touching to the core.
Hugs 'n warmest blessings, Dear Jasmine … you're a lovely flickering flame! ⁓ Richard : )

[J. J. Nightingale]

You are most welcome Richard...... Jazz..

[KT-B]

Beautiful......very emotive, delightfully expressed, yet so sad, your work is extremely powerful - my heart constricted and it made me want to cry - love it :)

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so joyfully, Dear Lady-Poet!
Your words of praise, keen-minded commentary, and shared emotional effect express the effects poetesses and poets dream their pieces will bring forth from every reader.
That you "love" this rather contemplative and pensive effort, is unexpectedly high gratification, indeed!

Most humbly and gratefully, I bow in sincere appreciation for your touch of thoughtful loveliness … warmest blessings, KT ⁓ Richard : )

[emmajoy]

' 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 '

Richard, whilst I've read if not reviewed most of your poems, hand on heart, i think this Free Verse is YOU, the Man. I've choked with tears, reading it twice.. found such golden moments wrapped in your phrasing, ' . it hung for a while - in the morning air, - a fragrant marker - along a trail of yesterdays,'

You've shown such love for a love that is still with you, surely; your words lay tightly bonded, sincere, finely striking a balance of poetry with style. Truly beautiful.

[Richard🖌]

Em,
You just made me realize two very important aspects of my poetry:
First, from the thoughtful essence of your always insightful and meaningful sentiments and comments, why I so passionately enjoy writing and sharing my humbly hopeful efforts with you.
Then, why when finding your name as reviewer on any poem of mine makes me glow all through with a warm and grateful smile, because I know you're going to understand, appreciate, and enjoy me in the exact way I want to be!

How enthralled I am to receive the vibrant mana from your own heart … bless you, Em* ⁓ Richard

[emmajoy]

Speaking as one who can't cope with meter, style or anything remotely formal.. i bow to your usual work but saw another side of you in this.. :) Blessings for Easter, my friend.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever so warmly, Em! : )

[emmajoy]

Just re.read my review, there were so many typos, think i was still recovering.. 'apologise profusely. Hope things are tidier now.

[Richard🖌]

Both ways were and are beautiful, Em … sincere thanks for the special care. 🌼

[heartspeaks]

This is sheer poetry in motion... I don't know if i am that good to write a review for such an incredible work... I loved it . The words used are so sweet and poetic. It takes the reader to vivid imaginary land. Great write

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Poet! : )
I am so very grateful you found this little piece , read it, and left such encouraging and appreciative comments for hopeful bard to enjoy.

Your entertainment and delight are sincerely my pleasure … with brightest blessings* ⁓ Richard

[heartspeaks]

pleasure is all mine

[Paul]

An absolute pleasure to read from start to finish. I felt like I was the one sitting by the pond the whole time. It pulled me in!
A wonderfully written free verse.

Paul

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Paul, sincerely and gratefully*
I thought I saw you there that day, in the dappled shadows with your pen and pad; obviously, lost deeply in reverence and contemplation.
Nothing gratifies me more than knowing my peers and readers can relate to and feel their emotion through my poetry … your praise, too, is high inspiration and encouragement, indeed, my friend.

*Many blessings upon your days! ⁓ Richard : )

[Susan 🦋]

This is so unbelievably beautiful. You really captured the very essence of ones soul...even if they are gone. I have had a lot of loss in my life..and I know this feeling. Lilacs, the smell of lilacs and I am a child again with a very special woman in my life.this poem captures those feelings so perfectly..sigh, another one of your poems bringing me to tears from the memories it is invoking...it's a poem I want to hang on to...and just re read over and over again.

[Susan 🦋]

more....there is a comfort to this poem. that in a way, those we have lost are still ever present in our memories, wrapped in our hearts...forever.

[Richard🖌]

Gosh, Susan!
I completely missed your beautiful review. The site often does not notify me of reviews, but yours is just as wonderfully touching and inspiring to an olde bard's hopes that his readers will find something worthwhile and meaningful to their minds, hearts, souls, and emotions, and it appears you have.

Thank you, Dear Poetess, for blessing me with your lovely presence and tender sweetness … hugs to you! ⁓ Richard : )

[Susan 🦋]

No worries Richard.. :-)

[Susan 🦋]

Just another look... perhaps a seasons end, but even that fallen leaf will make way for Spring. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Beautiful. A amazing poem my friend.
Coyote

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so gratefully, John!
Your praise is more than ample payment for my humble efforts.

Bless you, Dear Friend! ⁓ Richard : )

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[Zenovia]

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....


It's a beautiful pond you got for your self....

The words flow through the wind and reaches my ears... every word is absolute beauty...



I almost started to believe
I’d turn my head ~
and you’d be there.

Such wishful thinking :)
We all do when we miss someone who has gone...wishing for them to be back in life with us.

I loved all of it ;)
Zenovia

[Richard🖌]

Some lovely, touching lines and verse you've chosen, Zenovia … I favor, too, but it doesn't surprise me we're on the same wavelength.
Yes,I seem to be wishing and thinking a lot these days. ; )
I so enjoyed your take on this one,and that you love anything about anything me is fulfillment beyond anything I could have hoped for.
Thank you Dear Veronia, ever-so warmly … most grateful hugs! ⁓ Richard : )

[Zenovia]

Richard when did I become veronia lol veronica still sounds better don't you think ;)

[Richard🖌]

OOPS!
Believe me, Myrtle, I had no other woman on my mind … LOLOL!

[Zenovia]

Ya...I can see that lol

[tracey]

a fantastic free verse, i can just imagine sitting there. a truly remarkable piece.makes me want to get on and write,you have true talent

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Tracey, for your lovely and inspiring review and warming compliment!
Blessings upon your day! ⁓ Richard : )