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....

[sandra]

This is great! Thank you for the helpful information! I am going to try. Keeping to form is difficult for me. You do it so well. I do like the challenge of it.

[Richard🖌]

Ohhh-MY, Sandra! 😳

That you would give one of my original forms a try makes my heart skip a beat and my lips smile warmly.

Thank you for your lovely praise … I feel certain you'll do it exemplarily, Dear Poetess! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Rye]

this is just awesome, love the form and the second to last stanza, love that part. awesome write

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so warmly and gratefully, Dear Ryanna 🌈

Because you love anything about my poetry sweeps me away, and twice is sigh-worthy to an olde bard's ear and heart.

Bless you with a hundred happy hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Cherrie]

Richard, I love it, I really like when the writer includes the reader as part of the poem, it gives an interesting vibe and it is most enchanting. But work always is a comfort and delight.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Cherrie Dear 🍒

That you "love" anything about my humble little efforts enthralls my senses no end.

Bless you and hug you warmly 'n true! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Dee Oddbins]

thought this was great, really liked the format, the Nabla del like poured concrete

[Richard🖌]

Thank you so much.

[Dee Oddbins]

you are welcome

[Intothemilkyway]

Very interesting poem. He knows he is great and he knows that his work is so too. A grande poet indeed.
Even if someone doesn't like his work he still loves them and continues to write for the ones that love him.

[Richard🖌]

That is sooo very beautiful, M'Lady!

One of the nicest, sweetest things anyone has ever said to me … sighhh!

Thank you ever-so warmly … hugs to You! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Robert Trakofler]

well I have read and come back to this many times and this to me has a familiar ring to it and all I can say is I just keep on the scrawl hoping some of it sticks to the walls and paints a picasso but like all things when done with love its bound to....

[Richard🖌]

First, My Friend,
Thank you sincerely for reading and rereading this unique, original poem … what a gracious compliment to an olde bard's hopeful efforts.

With such lovely sentiments you bless me, too! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[NotUsinganymore]

Interesting poem. I liked the layout of it. I am bad at computers so I don't think I could format it that way.

[Richard🖌]

Greetings, my fine Asian friend. : )
Thank you for "liking" the layout of this original form.
With practice, patience, and determination, I believe you could do quite well at this form.

Many blessings! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[NotUsinganymore]

Thanks! Often my friends joke and call me grandma cause I don't know how to do well with computers. Especially video games!

[Richard🖌]

Ha-hah!
Me, too.

[Carola]

as always, brilliant in style & words, richard.
i suppose the triangle could also be done the other way around & have the photo at the bottom for effect.

what do the words nabla del actually mean ?
cheerio carola

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Lovely Lady Carola 🌺
Yes, it could go both ways, as so much in life, love, and romance does, eh? ; )
The nabla is a triangular symbol resembling an inverted Greek delta: or ∇. The name comes, by reason of the symbol's shape, from the Hellenistic Greek word νάβλα for a Phoenician harp.
Del is an operator used in exacting mathematics, in particular in vector calculus, usually represented by the nabla symbol ∇.

Thus, the exactness of this original poetic "concrete" or "shape" form.

Thank you, Dear Carola, for your always warmly gratifying comments! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Jade]

You are a accomplished poet, This is wonderful.
I am not good at form writings, now my cousin is pretty good at it.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Brandie, for your lovely compliment on my writing skills and this original poem … blush*

Well, this would be a fun form to practice on and improve your penmanship, eh?

Who is your cousin … does she/he post their poems on the Café?

Thanks a zillion for your endearing reviews … big hugs, Brandie🌸 ⁓ Richard

[Dr. YumnaKay]

I just realized I haven't yet reviewed this one, even though had this open all day yesterday for pointers...!
You are such a master in poetic forms, Richard, and this one speaks just a small example of your expertise.
"sit back for awhile
read me again"
That I'll be surely doing ;)

[Richard🖌]

And, Yumna,
I just realized I have never responded to your lovely review for this unusual piece, and for that very kind, exceedingly generous compliment on my writing skills. : )

Thank you ever-so sincerely! ⁓ Richard