LIFE'S SONG ⁓ (fear neither life nor death)

English Sonnet

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LIFE’S SONG

Beneath grayed cloak the evergreens reach high
to drink from air, their needles weighted full.
Limbs supple, softer than an unborn sigh,
subdued in mist, give way to Nature’s pull.

At night, soft whispers you may nigh hear of … 
o' do not fear and turn to run from such;
for, only ‘tis the kiss of winds above
in chilling flight … upon life’s lips, its touch.

Amidst those mists and shadows lies a shrine
of vine-made arbors … gravestones for the dead.
An angel stands its guard, by Death’s design,
that peaceful comfort wroughts when life has fled.

Should thee soar high, between that angel’s wings,
hold tight with faith; then, hear the song life sings.


Richard W. Jenkins
©2016

1st Place

FanStory International Sonnet Contest

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Author's Note

Picture: compliments of Google Images

Helpful-intended comments and critique are always welcome! : )

Reviews

[Lyn Anderson]

I like everything about this piece, from the word choice, to its softness, and quiet understanding of the interplay of nature, life, and death -- the earthly and the spiritual -- it is so warm and comforting, something I would hope to achieve within the context of a sonnet.

[Richard🖌]

KL,
I can reasonably expect your poetic potential to one day eclipse the skill it took to compose this piece, and I sincerely believe your aptitude is such that it will.
Yes, the Sonnet is one of the most versatile of all poetic forms, allowing great latitude to those whom master it.
Your take on this piece is genuinely reassuring; for, every nuance of your comments speaks it voice clearly and concisely.

it is so earnestly rewarding to share with those whom best "get it"! ⁓ Richard

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, KL.

[Just Kim]

well this paints a vivid picture of loneliness, well these lines here do

of vine-made arbors … gravestones for the dead.

Very well written.....

[Richard🖌]

Most gratefully, Kym 🍂

I bow to your warming words of lovely, inspiring praise and compassionate recognition of my loneliness woven throughout this rather ethereal piece Sonnet.

Bless You with a hundred hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Unspoken poet]

Should thee soar high, between that angel’s wings,
hold tight with faith; then, hear the song life sings.

Simply amazing wording here, this is awesome,
Keep writing always

[Richard🖌]

From You, Dear Kay-T

These words of praise and appreciation truly warm and inspire a bard's ink and pen to embrace and soar forevermore.

I, too, find the lines you've selected among the most impacting; great minds think alike … my warmest thankful hugs to You! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Carola]

a beautifully penned, period style poem. your descriptive choice of words is so delicate & ethereal, i love the last 2 lines in particular.
one of these days i may be able to write with such beautiful poetic phrasing as yours, but i fear grand old age will overtake me before that ever happens.
cheerio carola

[Richard🖌]

Ohhh-MY, Dear Lady Carola! 🎭️

How sweetly your words in appreciation, praise, and expressed enjoyment touch an olde bard's grateful hope to reach and touch at least one other, and It does not surprise me it's You.
Because you have the heart and soul of a poetess, there is no doubt you could compose anything you set your mind to, and as a teacher of poetry I'd love to step-up with a strong hand for your to grasp hold of.

It's never too late to put one's best foot forward in stepping toward their desires.
Thank You for such a lovely review to this rather gently flowing piece … warmest hugs to Thee! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Wanda Vergara-Yates]

How do you critique the first place winner?

I'm just struck that "life is so fleeting" as I read. the temporariness--

For a review: Note the sadness - but be not sad, for the song that life sings can be true joy.

[Richard🖌]

Hello again, Wanda! : )

Well, I've a number of winning pieces that have been improved on over the years. It seems that as one's skills improve, thus do older and newer efforts.

Concerning "fleeting life": An olde seer once shared that … when compared to the endless stream of lives that have entered into and passed out of earth's realm, the entire existence of each individual life on earth is less than a spark in the night.

I agree, Dear Poetess, life is, indeed, "true joy".
Thank you truly! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Silmara McGarry]

Perfect title, we should not fear nothing, for everything we want is in the other side of fear. Beautiful indeed!!! Skilfully written!!! It really shows the talent of the writer!!! Congrats Richard ;-))))))

[Richard🖌]

Oh, M'Dear Lady Sil 🥀

How very remiss I've been in responding to your sweetly inspiring words of warming praise and appreciation for this rather philosophical work dedicated to life, death, and easing peace of mind and soul.

There is no other I so completely enjoy a review from on the level I do from You, M'Lovely-Hearted Sil.
With my warmest hugs 'n brightest blessings! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Silmara McGarry]

:-))))) You are very welcome!!!!

[Betty Hermelee]

I love the ethereal feeling of this poem; in addition I love the descriptive choice of words which shows the reader the nature of the forest, the wind, the gravestones, the angel. Put together, this is a fine piece of poetry. Great!

[Richard🖌]

Thank You, Dear Betty✨

That you love anything about my poetry is praise more gratifying and pleasing than I've adequate words to express, but from a poetess so skilled, know it leaves me humbled and breathless.

Then, that you actually grasp the essence of this rather ambiguous Sonnet is a sweetly encouraging blessing in itself, one an olde bard so warmly and sincerely welcomes.

I am so deeply beholding to you, Dear Poetess … warmest hugs to You! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Betty Hermelee]

Well it's true, I love your poetry!

[Richard🖌]

It's equally true, Betty, that I love your reviews.🌷

[Eilis]

This spoke to me of facing the darkness fearlessly. Or, of understanding that there is darkness but not letting it stall you.

The darkness in this poem is also beauty disguised by the dark, so revelation allows the reader to understand that it's not necessarily something to be feared.

The wind has its way of whipping things and drawing them to shadow under the moon, but it is only the wind, and its strength in this posture of whipping is temporary--or rather comes in waves. I suppose our greatest strength in life can be finding peace with the dark and the light.

I felt that this poem expressed that very well. Lovely work, Richard.

[Richard🖌]

Amazing, Eilis!

Seeing you'd read this rather abstractly involved piece, I wondered what your take on it might be. But, considering it was You, resisted my usual game of trying to pre-guess, and truth be, I am glad I did.

I say this, because I was completely stunned by, "The darkness in this poem is also beauty disguised by the dark, so revelation allows the reader to understand that it's not necessarily something to be feared."
You are the first to grasp it core essence, and furthermore, "I suppose our greatest strength in life can be finding peace with the dark and the light." -- concisely exemplifies its message.

Humbly, I bow in most sincere thanks for selecting this Sonnet to read and share your spot-on insights … for what more could I wish! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Fran Marie]

Beautiful poetic versed sonnet here
especially liked the second paragraph
lines 3 and 4 such a lovely image it presents
..soft and smoothly flowing ..I enjoyed reading
this fine piece..

nice work

[Richard🖌]

Nice review, Fran 🌼

Thank you for your gratifying and inspiringly expressed, enjoyment, appreciation, and praise.
Excellent selection of lines to highlight … they're among my favorites, too.
"Soft and smooth flowing" you mention is due to the naturalness of iambic rhythm each line is composed in.

I've truly enjoyed your review, Fran.
Warmest thanks to You! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Fran Marie]

you 're welcome dear friend;

[Kesch (Finding Julia)]

Beautiful write, yet kinda dark, but nicely written and expressed.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Kesh, for reading and commenting, and for your encouraging compliment! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Anne’sRants]

I felt this poem like a whisper. “An angel stands it’s guard, by deaths design.” Favourite line. It is such a peaceful relationship between life and death depicted here. I see them as old friends. Separated by their very nature.

[Richard🖌]

A warm welcome to my pages Anne 🌸
Thank you ever-so gratefully for selecting one of my poems to read and comment on.
That you felt its essence that softly touches my senses equally so.
Your uniquely expressed grasp of its meaning validates and rewards a bard's sincere desire and efforts to connect with and please his readers.

Bless you your generously gentle soul! ⁓ Richard 🍃