Grande Aspirations ⁓ (a poet's longing)

Nabla Del (a type of concrete or shape poem)

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Author's Note

"NABLA DEL"
an original poetic form
created by Richard W. Jenkins
© 12 Dec 2001
In the shape of an upside down (inverted) triangle, this form must be centered for full effect, but may be aligned left or right when formatting will not permit center alignment.
There is no set syllable count per line, but each descending line must be reduced by (at least) one or two letters, until there is one word at the bottom, and a smooth sided inverted triangle has been produced.
12 Lines total are required in the following order:
1 … Opening/Introduction Line
2 … Quatrains (4-Line verses)
1 … 3-Line Closing Verse (triplet)
Rhyme scheme is: x, xbxb, xcxc, xxx (x = no rhyme). But, by author's choice, there can be more rhymes, as long as the required minimum rhyme scheme is met.
Note: The Introduction line and verses are separated by a free space.
It can be a challenge … if you try it, just have fun!

Painting: A young Rembrandt Van Rijn, self-portrait, oil on panel, c.1625

All well-meant, constructive critique is welcome! : )

Reviews

[Lisasview]

Well, what a perfect poem to read after spending a good part of my day working on my poems...
I love the image and the fabulous layout of your poem.
Gosh, how true are these words...one hopes the reader will take time to reread our words more than twice...each time gaining more about the meaning behind the words..
This original form of yours dear Richard is so interesting. It lends itself so well to your words..
I now have gone back for the fourth time to explore this new form and to capture more of you in your poem..Loved it as I do all your marvellous work...
Lisa, 7pm and about to have dinner..

[Richard🖌]

M'Dear Lady Lisa 🌾

Such a happy moment you've created by taking the rare essence of my uniquely penned poetic effort to dinner with your appetite … I hope it blended well with your wine … I know your treasured words of love, appreciation, understanding, and praise went perfectly with mine.🍷
Perhaps, you might venture forth with a try at this form … it would be quite an interesting and rewarding challenge for you to perfect, me thinks.
There are numerous others onsite who've done an exemplary job of it; so, I know You can.

A warm thank you hug, Charming Poetess, for gifting an olde bard such an inspiring, joy-filled review! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Lisasview]

Hi Richard,
Thrilled to actually have time to work on my computer..in between my always crazy day. So I need to see exactly how to go about this form as I think it is so interesting...
Lisa

[Richard🖌]

Lemme know if you need a helping hand.

[Lisasview]

Oh I am sure I will....

[Susan 🦋]

:-) Read me again? OK. I got the book, your countless lessons, (and corrections lol) Yep! I HAVE read a lot... and I know there is still more! Enjoying every moment too!

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Susan 😊

For supporting me and for being a consistently dedicated, hardworking, A+ student.
You never wasted my time and always took your lessons to heart … a teacher's dream.

True, we'll never learn it all.
Hugs, and immensely more good stuff to You ⁓ Richard🖌

[poetgurl]

I LOVE THIS WRITE, this is just simply amazing.
So very creative, love the form and the picture.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you most gratefully, Meg 🌻

For selecting this unique original poetic form to read and graciously review. That you "love" anything about it is truly inspiring to a hopeful bard's pleasure.

A thankful hug to Thee! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Thomas W Case]

Tremendous work Richard. Great form.

[Richard🖌]

(The site keeps cutting-off my response to your review … I'll try once more.)

Thank you, Thomas 👍

For your graciously encouraging compliments.

Best wishes, Syr! ⁓ Richard🖌

[William Michael Reeves]

I would never judge your sins. They are yours to live with, and ours to forgive. But then, the sins do make for good reading and bring us back again and again. I'll add architectural poet to the many accomplishments of your pen.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, William,

For selecting this rather challenging poetic effort to read and comment on.
Truth is, is it really just to judge another's sins, mustless undertake to forgive them … regardless, however entertaining or alluring they might be?
"Architectural" poet … very interesting epithet, relating, I assume, to architects using "concrete" in their constructs.

Quite creative of you, actually. 👍
Happy Autumn! ⁓ Richard 🍂

[Roth Jordain]

Hi Richard,
I am a new member who received your name from Chris on one of my reviews and Wow! [a word I rarely use] this poem came up at the top of your list when I typed your name into the Search box. I think it is a very creative poem displayed in one of the most unique and beautiful layouts I have ever seen.
I read that it is your original form and looks way too difficult for me to try but regardless I am amazed by your poetic artistry, I truly appreciate understand and relate to your rhyming message too.

Thank you sincerely Richard for sharing this outstanding work,
Roth

An aside:
Chris said one of my poems is a 'classic style' and said you could explain what that means, if you can please? The poem is the POET.

[Richard🖌]

Greetings, New Member! 🤜✫🤛

What a pleasure it is to receive such an appreciative and generously favorable review for this humble little work of unique originality … I must remember to thank Chris for sending you over to my place. : )
She is quite the highly regarded, sought after masterful poetess, in her own right.
Thank you ever-so much, Roth, for blessing one of my earnest efforts with your positive and encouraging words in review.

A big WELCOME to the Café … may your prosperous days here be many and your joys as equally rewarding! ⁓ Richard🖌


On your aside:
I read your "the POET" poem (which I'll review soon) and Chris' comment on "classical style" as-well.
Basically, I think what she's referring to is your Quatrain verses composed in a set rhyme scheme, but she could have told you that … she can be quite modest, me thinks. ; )

[Roth Jordain]

Thank you Richard,
Your help is highly regarded and greatly appreciated. I have written poetry and short stories for about twenty five years [i am 40 now] and joined a couple of other poetry sites before coming here and learned a lot about composition, a few forms and how to present them artistically but never heard of the 'classical style'.
A question please? Is there a way you know of to shut off so many ads here?

Thank you again Richard for your help,
Roth

[emmajoy]

Amazed at the skill shown here, Richard.. and certainly not for the first time.

May I ask a question please: which came first, the words or the form? Did the one suggest a, 'I wonder if.. ..? or did the other throw itself on your mercy? There's no doubt that the form is conscientiously filled with meaningful phrases.. but.. am intrigued and wondering..

Take care, keep safe. Please

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Em 🎶

It's almost instinctive how a smile takes charge of my face upon seeing your name as reviewer; for, I always know I'm in for a meaningful, intelligently enjoyable treat, uniquely You … you definitely make me think.
Your question has me rather intrigued and wondering, too.

Ya know(?), I'm ever amazed at how variable poetesses' and a poets' creative bents and sources are, including my own. A form is one thing, but the workings of the mind, heart, soul, and emotion is entirely different, and to answer your question, I'll begin by saying that I created this form and particular piece over sixteen years passed, so I'd be guessing if I claimed to know the answer in any true exactness.
But, in studying it now (with your query in mind), I'd say it just created itself, and I simply went along for the ride. : )

You take good care and keep safe, too, My Dear Friend, and thank you again! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[emmajoy]

Thank you, Richard.. not sure I actually have the answer I was looking for, especially as its origin goes back a few years. My thought was that you found self looking at a shape of words, loosely an inverted triangle and suddenly though, 'I wonder!' Obviously my mind is weirder than yours. No comment, please!
Will have a go perhaps - when nobody's looking.

'Til whenever, take care of yourself, keep safe, take care.. and, many thank yous. Em

[Richard🖌]

In looking back through my old spiral notebook I ran across my original Nabla Del form and poem, as-well-as this one. I took a snapshot of each page and will message them to you in hopes this will help to better answer your question, but it would appear the poem's shape took place before the form's name "Nabla Del" was born.

[emmajoy]

Many thanks for doing that, Richard, how very thoughtful. Anything that helps me understand, even if can't do it, helps to un-befuddle me. Will read it all over later, not long home, then, get back to you as soon as possible. :)

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

I love shape poems and I'm admiring this one as I find them esp difficult. I thought I saw this form employed by someone else. It's a fab poem you created and how you say you yearn the wondrous dreams but are a simple guy, that is relatable to me too somewhat as I love meekness. Kudos!!

plz pleez do read and comment my newest poem too. I like to know poets thoughts.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Dear Zaynab 🌾

It is wonderful to find your name under one of my humble little poetic efforts, leaving such kindly generous words of enjoyment and appreciation.
Yes, you did see this form composed by Einstein Noodle (Gene), who did a rather noteworthy job with his "Swamp Lilly". 😊
https://www.writerscafe.org/writing/rlGt2mAk3/2313825/
Thank you ever-so warmly for loving this little piece and my meekness … it means so very much to me.

Of course, I'll stop by to see you, Zaynab; I've been planning on doing just that!
Thank you sincerely for your most lovely review, too! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Jinx Bane]

Hello Richard,
Yet another wonderful work of art created by you. Beautiful transitions from line to line. I especially enjoy, "I'm naught but a plain and simple man..." emphasizes how extraordinary your mind and spirit are. A clever shape your writing takes, I'm sure required a lot of patience and time. A true inspiration to all writers out there. from your mature word usage to the presentation, you never seem to slack. Keep being amazing.
~ Midnight Thought, Jinx.

[Richard🖌]

Hello, yourself, Jinx 🌸

I hope you've been enjoying the site and making many new friends and followers, too.
I've been reading and enjoying your excellent poetry, now to find adequate time to review them in the way they deserve.
Goodness! You sure know how to conduct a full-on, meaningful, insightful, and sooo very-very much appreciated review, and your closing leaves such lovely poetic warmth … it is nice to be seen deeply, as you so naturally seem to.

What a stunning commentary you've gifted this rather unique poem, Jinx … I thank you dearly for sharing your warmly knowing insights! ⁓ Richard 🍃

BTW, you missed my review of your wonderfully rendered poem, "Until Now:". https://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Jinx_1st/2177279/ 😏