The River, the Clouds, and Us.... (longing)

Free Verse

Author's Note

Picture: compliments of Wikimedia Commons.

Something set me into a wispy, dreamlike, drifting-off mood.

Please, feel free to offer critique, or anything you feel will help improve this piece! : )

Reviews

[Lyn Anderson]

I love the cloudy images -- that stanza in particular is striking. The feeling of falling in love with a moody person, and the speaker is the calm anchor ...

one minor thing, I am sure it is just a typo or pesky auto-correct, but its journey does not require an apostrophe, unless there is something in that sentence I am missing.

[Richard🖌]

That you've again blessed one of my pieces, KL … how very happy this makes me feel!
Then, that you love anything about this piece and find it striking, is reward beyond any I could have expected.
I like the wording of your interpretation, too … "speaker", "calm anchor".

About the recent "rogue apostrophe" typos: It is like when one uses loose for lose, their for they're, sell for sale … you know we know better, but get into too big a hurry, concentrating on what we're into, to catch all the wee details, even when we go back through trying to, but not to worry, someone with a keen eye who cares will come along and lend a helping hand, like you always do thank you sincerely, KL! : )

You've left a nice, helpful, and gracious review … warmly appreciated! ⁓ Richard

[kitty]

There is intensity in this meaningful piece. Read and soak up the meaning of these words put so clearly across the page. Nostalgia sets in for those who have gone through periods such as these. but...oh for the days that are dead or put on the back burner! No critique to offer here Sire! Thanking you once more for a splendid read

[Richard🖌]

✨"Happy Christmas to You, Dear Lady Kitty, and A Sparkling New Year!"✨

I am always amazed at how insightful and eloquently voiced your reviews are gifted, and I love the ways you make me feel about my own writing … you've always been a wonderful inspiration to this hopeful olde bard.

I am so very grateful for You over each of our years.🌿
With thankful blessings and warmest winter hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[kitty]

I kneel at your bequest and say on page I am surely blessed. Good 'Friends' are rare these days. Wishing you and yours the very best that the season has on offer!Cheers. Have a 'Vintage' on me! Being appreciative of our shared interest.

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

In order to soar to unreachable heights we need to endure the deepest of the deepest depths - down down down to rise again- wonderful falling fleeting forever🌹

[Richard🖌]

Such a wonderful gift of words, Kelly,
Thank you ever-so warmly and gratefully for sharing them with me under this rather introspective piece of romantic metaphor.

Hugs for your day! ⁓ Richard : )

[marilyn 1225]

omg one of my favorite poems now

[Richard🖌]

"B L U S H !"

[marilyn 1225]

i saved it of course

[marilyn 1225]

nothing is worse than being led on and praised then thrown away in a cold manner or cloud.

[Richard🖌]

Such empathetic wisdom and compassionate passion sing out from your words, Marilyn … thank you warmly! ⁓ RJ

[marilyn 1225]

well guess my age ,my gender and being around the block so to speak several times ie dumped have given me that wisdom... but yet.. we woman are emotionally vulnerable.

[Richard🖌]

Is that assuming men are not? ; )

[marilyn 1225]

some men are kind and possess more empathy than others depends on the relationship and the urge to move on

[Richard🖌]

True, M'Lady, of most all peoples, eh?

[marilyn 1225]

you just melted my heart sir poet and dear friend

[marilyn 1225]

ps i felt it and more nuff said promise

[lightsong]

So is Love, like this river, and like this sky, unpredictable, yet determined, easy yet raging at times, but look to it all, and You will see that this what adds a flavour to Love, the changing that gives it more suspense, more anticipations, more excitements, I feel this poem like a diary, but never less in the brilliance of conveying the emotions, so real that they are weaving the page with this wistfulness warmth, another gem from You, where gentle sadness and tender gloominess overwhelming us, yet the hope and belief in Your words always there, and always strong, that what I really like about this one here, and the one I reviewed before this. Tenderly Gorgeous.

[Richard🖌]

So are your words uniquely You, GH*
How much more blessed and warmly touched than is feel in this moment, painted by the depth and meanings of your words into an olde bard's mind and heart could be, I cannot begin to imagine; for, there is not a single word that feels contrived or insincere in any way.
What more could one hope for in sharing their craft than the reward of such a rich and treasured review you've gifted this lovely piece in homage to a lover's yearning.

You're very special, GH, and I cannot help but return your gentle kindness and expressed appreciation with my warmest, most grateful thank you hug! ⁓ Richard 🤗

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

This is beautiful! The metaphors are magic, dreamy like the clouds, and cleansing as the river. It's romantic in the very best possible way.

[Richard🖌]

Ummm …
I think there may not be a realistic way to prepare for a review from you, Linda, and honestly, if there were, I'd probably not use it, because I'd not want to miss the instant surprise of your poetic voice caressing my senses so sensationally.
I think I'd rather read your reviews than most poets poems.
I'm sitting here, left breathless … thank you kindly; and warmly, Dear Lady-Poet ✨ ⁓ Richard ; )

[George Coombs]

An excellent poem Richard-I was particularly struck by the verse beginning 'I listened' and the idea that rivers could tell stories, Ican well believe rivers or any place offering peace and silence could indeed do that-the verse before that beggining 'somewhere along the way' perhaps leave out 'and' in the third line-great writing and well chosen image

[Richard🖌]

A great review, George! ; )
You've said about everything pertinent and meaningful a reader could to emphasize and assure the artist they'd done a good job in connecting with their reviewer.
Then, rare of rarest, you've actually offered a valid and helpful critique to better this piece. I took out the "and", as I do not care for useless filler conjunctions where they can be avoided, but that passage needs a transition word: I used "as" and, ironically, as it is used, it is a conjunction, too, but not as glaringly banal as "and" … LOL!
That is a rather special picture of a coming storm, eh? I thought it fit as good as anything could.

George, you make writing and sharing fun, entertaining, and interesting … thank you immensely, My Friend … Iechyd da (Welsh for "cheers" –– pronounced yeh-chid dah)! Yeah, I'm Welsh ⁓ Richard : )

[George Coombs]

Thankyou Richard, I am interested to hear you are welsh, I have an interested in welsh/celtic culture e.g. Taliesin-its great to be in touch

[Richard🖌]

Ah, Taliesin, the great Welsh prophet and wizard to fabled King Author, and a brilliant olden time poet.
Diolch yn fawr, Fy Chyfaill ⁓ Rischardt

[George Coombs]

Thankyou Richard

[J. J. Nightingale]

Wow... I wonder who disappointed you.. ..sigh
Who made you feel this way.... Sad and lonely and lost .. .. A beautiful view of nature, but then again.. sadness....................

Well Done. (of course)....

Jazz

[Richard🖌]

Gosh,Jasmine Dear,
I did not mean to respond in such a late fashion, but you're certainly appreciated all the more for waiting.
It had to be someone I cared about and fell for … I, sometimes, wonder if sadness hasn't become my way of life.
It can be so trying for us sensitive types when we give of our feelings, only to be rejected, eh?

Thank you sincerely for your lovely compliments, and for another of your always meaningfully felt reviews, so cherished … hugs! ⁓ Richard : )

[J. J. Nightingale]

Rejected ?? nah... A very beautiful, honest write... just sad, with tremendous longing.....I can relate..... You are welcome... sorry if I spouted roughly... please forgive.... ♥♥ ..

[Richard🖌]

You spouted perfectly! ; )

[J. J. Nightingale]

愛を送る......................

[Richard🖌]

あなたへの私の愛、甘いもの

[J. J. Nightingale]

Thank you.................

[Richard🖌]

As stars align and dance⁓*

[J. J. Nightingale]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~♥

[SJ Mullins]

The way you refer to the river imagining the stories it could tell evokes those feelings in me. How many young lovers have lain there I wonder. I have often wondered about beautiful old decaying houses and wondered about the stories they could tell. It takes a calm soul to love and deal with an angry, petulant one, and you bring this out beautifully! Incredible write, Richard. Very well penned.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Susan!
Nothing gratifies a bard's earnest efforts than having an accomplished poetess read and review them with such knowing depth of expressions and aptly vivid analogies.
Then, there the manner in which you grasp and convey my very nature; not many get he essence of this one, or me … amazing, M'Lady!

With my warmest, most appreciative embrace of genuine gratitude and pleasure! ⁓ Richard ; )

[SJ Mullins]

Ahhh, even your comment back to me has poetry in them. ::sigh::

[Great Aunt Astri]

I love this wispy, dreamlike, drifting off poem. First the sunshine and 'imagining stories the river could tell.' Then the darkening skies ,'angry, petulant' (wonderful way to describe the rain filled structures) and relating it to the lady; and likening the poet to the river. Then, inevitably, coming back to reality after the reverie. A perfect poem. Really enjoyed it.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Astri! : )
Your interpretation is spot-on (not many get it), you praise, expressed appreciation, and enjoyment.
That you "love" anything about my earnest efforts to write and share with others, both humble and excite an olde bard … blush*

Thank you, Dear Lady-Poet, for your most wonderful review … happy smiles 'n warmest hugs! ⁓ Richard : )

[Dave]

I saw the rising tide as I sat along the river. I watched pretty much as you did. Feeling the need of love and finding it awash with the current flowing quickly past. Surely the waters will ebb and love will return as I watch the rushing waters waiting to be energized again.
You have such a distinct way of portraying nature and its' relationship to love.

[Richard🖌]

Howdy, Dave! : )
How wonderful to receive your inspiring and appreciative words in review for this metaphorical little composition.
I like you take on it, too … as a writer of novels, I especially blessed by your keen observation of my technique.

Bless you, My Friend, with a bushel of grateful thanks! ⁓ Richard : )

[Dave]

It is very easy to compliment the works you submit to us to read.

[Richard🖌]

You make it a joy to share, Dave … thank you! : )