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.

[Ahnjolie McKenna]

Masterfully written, and appropriately titled... 'Life's Song'. We are as God's instrument, born unto a composition that is uniquely our own. Those invited into our lives join us, with nature, in creating a crescendo...each movement a memory ingrained upon life itself, always present...never lost. Even whilst in the gentle fall of the decrescendo, we are embraced by the pulsing, soft melodic notes. And finally, death is but a rest in the piece of music defining our lives. It is not the end, it is but a pause. Our bodies, the instruments of God may be silent...but the music they have created shall be evermore. No need to fear death, nor the angelic guardians at Heaven's gate...for nothing is truly lost. Thank you for your most lovely work, Richard...
Soft smiles for you...
Ahnjolie

[Richard🖌]

Breathless,
Ahnjolie, with great humility I sit before the moment's glowing caress of your vibrantly living words, inspirationally reflective of my own, and can but wonder in awe at the brilliantly conscious expanse of mind, heart, soul, and emotion that conveyed their eloquently embracing essence, equally rendered in the effulgent glow and power of truth and beautiful poetic metaphor.

For my "most lovely work", Ahnjolie🍃, you are most humbly welcome, even as I am so deeply thankful for the pleasure of your incomparably enthralling review … with my warmest, most grateful hugs to thee! ⁓ Richard

[Judy Emery/ Lilly Emery]

The emotions of your story, and the image dug deep into my soul. Your talent is so beautiful. Thank you so much for you imaginary of fantasy and warmth in your sonnet.

[Richard🖌]

Judy,
I thank you sincerely and gratefully for sharing your feelings derived from reading this rather ethereally wispy piece, and certainly for your praise of my poetic skills.

Most humbly, I bow! ⁓ Richard : )

[Stella Armour]

My kind of poetry... beautiful, beautiful.

I never understand why lovely poetry written perfectly in form does not get as much accolade as a lot of badly written free verse.

[Richard🖌]

My kind of reviewer … beautiful, beautiful. ; )

Oh, Stella,
That's easily explained: Consider the enlightenment of one's audience; though, this particular piece has drawn over 30 positive reviews.

Thank you, Lady Stella, for your praise and expressed enjoyment of this little Sonnet! ⁓ Richard : )

[Stella Armour]

Praise well deserved Richard, and a pleasure to read good poetry +(*_*)+

[Richard🖌]

" B l u s h * "

[AYVID N]

Dear Richard,

As I read this beautiful poetry where you skilfully and lovingly thread Nature's magnificence, the ephemeral gift of life and the soft, restful oblivion of death in one thread, I cannot but also marvel at the depth and beauty of the message you imprint upon my spirit, that one must tarry, persevere in faith for brief is the song of life and it must be sung to its fullest before earning that well deserved rest. Brings to mind, my favorite verse from the Holy Bible:
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" - 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Bless you, dear poet!

[Richard🖌]

It is wonderful, M'Dear Lady Divya,
to have you select this particular piece to read and share your thoughts and feeling on … of all our poems we've shared of each other's, enjoyed, and found meaning in, I am truly happy you've found this one.
The embracing ways you possess in your beautiful mind, heart, and emotional tenderness to fulfill a bard's earnest hopes of pleasing [at least] one of his readers, and whom could be more suitable than You to thusly bless him.
From the core essence of your keen understanding words, there is no doubt we've connected through this unusually rare verse on a deeply meaningful level, and the Bible verse you selected assures just how thoroughly you've grasped, appreciated, and bonded with my own mind, heart, and emotion.

What more could a hopeful bard ask?
Bless you for blessing me, Dear Divya … my happiest hugs! ⁓ Richard : )

[AYVID N]

Happiest hugs to you my friend. Its a priviledge and a pleasure to connect with you, learn from you and to have your appreciation ⚘❤

[Richard🖌]

Mutually yours*

[lightsong]

I don't know why I thought that I've reviewed this one before? I was surprised to see that I didn't.

I believe this one of Your most brilliant masterpieces, the language, the hidden messages, the mystic and awe mysterious feelings which haunt us deep, just perfect to Your subject, there are many poems about life and death, but I don't think I ever read a one as comprehensive as this one, with Your ever own deep wisdom and gentleness, the uniqueness of this poem stands high, someone who is going though hardships can read it, someone who is just living can read it, someone who is dying can read it, and someone who is wanting to end his life can read it too... all will find a certain comfort in it, what I like the most about Your ending that to me it was like You left the choice to the reader weather they want to end their life or not, BUT You showed both ways, that in each there is solace... even on the death bed, even in death, I don't like when people judge those who ended their lives, that they are going to be punished on hell or etc... I don't EVER believe in that, they wanted to end their pains, only their pains.

There is always pain, as there is always hope, there is always despair, as there is always faith, don't fear what life hides, just open Your heart and mind, and listen, feel... see what all around of wonderment there is, Nature, the ever prim wonderment is a haven for You, a green bud that is slowly growing, it grows even at night, in the darkness, it sings softly to You, the wondrous song of living, of surviving.

a true wondrous poem, from a true wondrous Syr Poet ✨

[Richard🖌]

There's scant doubt that over the years we've known each other you've read this piece many times, always, I am sure, meaning to review it for me, but i too, know what it's like to immerse myself into a work that hits deeply and not feeling the moment is right to adequately express it … or, that's the gist of what I relate to with you.
To receive such beautifully impacting depth of meaning and interpretation from your insightful mind, heart, and soul was well worth the wait, M'Dear.

Thank you ever-so warmly and sincerely … your dedicated, ever grateful, bard! ⁓ Richard x0x

[lightsong]

Yes, I know it, I know that I've read it, and I do recognize/ed it, but I thought I've reviewed it before, though You are so correct, sometime You just feel it's not the time to review...

Surely, You are more than deeply and warmly welcome.

[CD Campbell]

I am wondering how easy it was for you to write this one or how long it took you. Did you torture yourself over the the rhyme of "of" and "above"? The rhyme sounds good, but doesn't look good. I'm just picking on a little thing cause I have nothing else. Upon first reading it felt almost conversational and I read it as I would a blank-verse poem. I didn't pay attention to the rhymes until the third reading. I would say your sonnet had, to me, a many layered feeling to it. I know it ceases to be a sonnet without the rhymes, but you could have replaced each end word and it still would be a relevant work. I believe your word choices were great, but I am going to have to give you a thumbs down on the your choice of font. You do not have permission to judge my font choices though, I am fully aware they are boring. If you want a good laugh, check out a picture of a sonnet I wrote when I was nineteen that I recently found among my Navy things. It's in my photos and some of the word choices are beyond me. Ah youth.

BTW....You knew this was a good poem. Talk at you later. CD

[Richard🖌]

Hi, CD!
Happy Sunday, My Friend. : )
Yes, I knew this is a good poem, and I knew you would, too, in the effort to allow you grace in recanting the statement I know you could not have really meant, being the accomplished poet I know you to be … LOL!
A keen observation on the "of/above", as it felt almost contrived at first blush, but seemed tolerable in retrospect.
This one is a handful of poems I've composed by inspiration from a picture … admittedly, it struck something deep enough in my gut needing expression. In those rare instances I've done this, I never have been able to figure why, … it just seems too abstract for logic.
I cannot disagree with you that it could easily be as impactful if it were Blank Verse, though, I never considered that until your thoughts.
Amazingly, this wok flowed easily out from somewhere beyond myself, from some source I don't entirely understand.
Your Sonnet sounds interesting … I'll be sure to take a look-see and comment comment.

Thank you so much, CD, for your good nature in tolerating me … LOL! ⁓ Richard : )

[Madeira]

Oh my goodness, how beautiful is this, so soft it melted my soul, loved the comforting thoughts this poem brings

[Richard🖌]

Beautiful reviewing, Madeira,
Ever now and again a bard will receive such an entreating accolade of praise and appreciation he can't help smiling inside with a warming glow … like now.

"Melted my soul" … sighhh!
Thank you most sincerely, kind lady-poet ⁓ Richard

[DaRkLyDreAmiNg]

Excellent poem, very well-written. One change, if you want to stick with Old English, use O! instead of the word oh.

[Richard🖌]

Many thanks selecting this piece to read and review, for your inspiring compliment, and for a helping hand with that wayward oh/o'.

Blessings to ya! ⁓ Richard : )

[DaRkLyDreAmiNg]

You're very welcome. This is shades of 18th century poetry. None of that self-indulgent crap people call poetry nowadays.

[Richard🖌]

Things tend to change to suit the times … some good, some not so good.
Thank you again.

[θεά]

As usual, your poetry is stunning. The imagery is surreal and placement of metaphors with the meter is admirable. Wunderbar!!

[Richard🖌]

A huge thank you, Dear Malika! : )
Your words of expressed appreciation and praise more than gratify my humble efforts to compose and share for the enjoyment of others.

Hugs 'n blessings* ⁓ Richard

[Cherrie Palmer]

The song of life, beautiful the poem is full and weighted with thought and images

[Richard🖌]

Cherrie,
You're as a sigh, so soft and warm unto a bard's hopeful desires … to share and please.

Warmest hugs to thee! ⁓ Richard : )