OUR PSALMS (love's ink)

Unmetered Quatrains

OUR PSALMS 

---------------------------------------------~**~---------------------------------------------

In dappled quiet of darkness I write ... 

songs weeping from a hungered yearning soul, 

that sing unto life of slow, fading light ... 

recalling moments lonely heartaches stole. 

When days were young and time was all I had, 

I’d thought each morrow was a promised gift; 

each one brought something new, still always sad; 

alas, my seasons passed-on … much too swift. 

Seeped o’er … a mist of unrelenting gloom, 

each dream a rose that died upon its vine. 

A sudden chill crept in, cold as a tomb; 

those days were never sweet, like sun-kissed wine. 

'Twas then thrummed in my heart a melody; 

swiftly and sweet, throughout the soul it flowed, 

as tho soft wings of angels swept me free ... 

all darkness lifted, soft my being glowed. 

Each moment, I now worship it in joy ... 

cast, too, away all sorrows ‘pon the wind. 

These golden gifts from You did I employ, 

to mantle o'er ache's grip, dire burdens' end. 

I’ll sip more slowly moments from time's well, 

savor heady hours from memories past; 

seek how to smile and dance inside your spell, 

drinking my fill of You -- and love … at last! 

When wakes each golden sunrise, you’re the gifts 

that sing life into me from endless ages ... 

while pens spill stardust ink in sparkling drifts 

of psalms -- inscribed upon our poems’ pages. 

---------------------------------------------~**~---------------------------------------------

Richard W. Jenkins

©2017

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

there is nothing so sweet in this life, says i, as getting to that "mature" age ..i love it! and never in a minute have desire to go back to the awkward, impetuous, foolish days of my youth ...i like relating this to God as the "you" ... very romantic and wisdom filled poem Richard ..enjoyed reading
E.

[Richard🖌]

Gene,
You've said a mouthful, My Friend!
Unlike you, if I had it to do all over again, I'm sure I would, because it was sooo danged fun … though, as an adult I'd never do a lot of the stuff I did, (as you say) in "the awkward, impetuous, foolish days of my youth", and "oh-boy!" were there ever many. ; )

I like your take on the "You", too.
Brightest blessings and many thanks for the read and always entertaining words! ⁓ Richard

[Einstein Noodle]

love ya man! ;)

[JayceeC]

For every ending of sweet halcyon days, there are memories of joy and laugher. Once tears are dried the visions become clear.
While I wrote mainly in contemporary styles, I still love to read something that had a classical feel without being over done. I can usually find that here on your page.

[Richard🖌]

Hey there, Jan! : )
So nice to see you today … hope all is well up your way, with all the rain.
How truly, with keen understanding, your words speak to me.
Oh, I recall some of your more classical writes, too, Jan, and nothing you do (that I've seen in any style or form) is less than excellent.
Do you think this piece, in particular, or all my classical pieces are overdone? Would you have a suggestion as to how you think I can improve on this? Maybe, back off on the mushy, fancy, or syrupy stuff, etc; for example?

Thank you, my ever lovely, Dear Friend! ⁓ Richard : )

[JayceeC]

I think this poem in particular was a great example of not being the overblown rose. Sorry I went back and edited that comment. If something seems grammatically out of place in my messages, it's probably my phone's fault.
On occasion, I have found one or two of yours to be a little more syrupy than my taste prefers, but I like my coffee and tea straight too. sometime I'll add that to a comment and sometimes I let it pass and critique the structure or some other element.

[Dave]

How sweet the memories of youth. Never thought about being "old". So distant, when I think of how old I am now. My goodness in my youth I would be ancient. Would I go back and know then what I know now, oh my would I! WOULDN'T WE ALL?

Take care - Dave

[Richard🖌]

Unfortunately, Dave,
I am not so sure if we "ALL" would.
For instance, my memories of youth are not happy ones … still, life has taught me much in ways that made me a far better, stronger, more capable, and accomplished man -- had it all been otherwise.

Thank you, My Fine Friend, for sharing the thoughts and memories in your words! ⁓ Richard : )

[Dave]

I would be a Pollyanna to think or even imply my youth was pleasant. I guess what I meant was if we could selectively go back to particular times in our youth and change or act differently. Not to endure the whole thing over again.

[Coyote Poetry]

So beautiful my friend Richard. The words danced and led reader to amazing and wonderful places. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Richard🖌]

Thank you so very much, John!
Your praise, expressed enjoyment, and appreciation of this rather lovely, involved piece truly gratify and reward my humble efforts.

You are sincerely welcome, too, My Fine Friend! ⁓ Richard : )

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem my friend and you are welcome Richard.

[Helen Crutchett]

OMG this is so classic and timeless! I love your writing.....so full of endless beauty. Very nicely penned and set out too. Full marks, it's a "no brainer'.

Kind regards
Helena

[Richard🖌]

So beautiful of You, Helena! : )
Your touch is soft,
its warmth is grand,
soars my heart aloft …
each caress of your hand.

Regards so kind fill heart, soul, and mind … thank you warmly! ⁓ Richard

[Helen Crutchett]

You are very welcome Richard. Thank you for your lovely verse.

Helena

[Delmar Cooper]

Eloquent. Super thoughts, sentiments, feelings, meter, rhyme... : I could go on and on about these. But, everyone has already and rightly so.

So remembering the old movie ,"The Graduate" let me say one thing. Vowels. This guy knows his way around vowels.

Thanks for sharing.

[Richard🖌]

Such a wonderfully inspiring compliments and praise you've so graciously gifted an olde bard's humble efforts to write for and share with his fellow and lady-poets' enjoyment.
What more could he possibly ask for.

What a pleasure you make sharing, Delmar … thank you ever-so gratefully! ⁓ Richard : )

[R.E. Ray]

Richard, this is among the most eloquent, artfully crafted poems I've read on this site. Each line is rich with meaning and emotion. Incredibly impressive. I look forward to reading more of your work.

[Richard🖌]

Dear Robert,
Sentiments such as yours are that which my worn olde pen keeps striving for … how gracious of you, and how gratifying and satisfying for me.

Thank you ever-so gratefully, My friend! ⁓ Richard : )

[Silmara McGarry]

Impossible not to be mesmerised by each golden word. The amazing flow of emotions definitely captivate the readers right from the start. Written with such class and elegance that makes one dance with it lightly and fondly.
I am completely in love with this line:
*seek how to smile and dance inside your spell* Flawless and Stunning, Sir Richard!!!
;-)))

[Richard🖌]

Thank you warmly, Dear Sil,
Your depth of passion, unique grasp of and expressed enjoyment in my humble efforts, combined with your encouraging accodales, make it a distinct pleasure to write for and share with you.
What a beautiful line you picked to fall in-love with, too … it is one of my favorite.

"Sir" Richard! I am a'blush, "Lady" Sil … warmest smiles 'n hugs! ⁓ Richard ; )

[J. J. Nightingale]

This is so very special Richard..tender, warm-Hot..REAL... Sometimes I cry when waking from dreams,( I shall not disclose the content of said dreams)..wishing I could have lived out the rest of my years ..there... Life and Time can be cruel.. This poor man escaped it seems.. and found his love...forevermore...................

A most wonderful write......

Jazzy

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Jasmine,
Yes, dreams can leave us with a sense of great elation and a wondrous glow of satisfaction, or with a yearning ache far deeper than most anything can cure.
It is sorrowful to know you sometimes weep from yours … but, our dreams we have no control over -- nor, our hearts and desires.

"Time and Life;
the two ingredients necessary
in coming to understand
what means most
to a heart that
seeks."

It was lovely sharing this poem (drawn from the well of love's ink) with you, Jasmine! ⁓ Richard : )

[J. J. Nightingale]

You are welcome Kind Sir.................♥.......

[emmajoy]

When young and younger time seems endless and unlikely to age a frown or hobble.. every experience is enjoyed, moved away from, leaving little but a smile, a hicup or a minor pain.. until another moment to savour or regurgitate.. sadly. Tis only when time starts to backfire now and again that memories nudge, that they in turn fade just a little.. then.. time speeds up and .. and..

Your beautiful phrasing suggests my above thoughts.. tho could be oh so wrong. Whatever its meaning or intention, you make language your own property, leaving scattered rosebuds in the mind's wake. Perhaps your prayers have been answered... who's to know but you..

[Richard🖌]

I dare to dream;
thus, in this dreaming,
all that's dreamt comes true.

One is fortunate, indeed, emmajoy, to receive the gripping thoughts of interpretation from such a mind as yours.

Bless you with most grateful thanks! ⁓ Richard