The NEOPHYTE (novice)

SESTETS (6-line verses) in 9-syllable counts and a rhyme-scheme of aa,bb,cc / dd,ee,ff / etc.

The NEOPHYTE

…beginner…

Once, a young lass, naïve neophyte …

some force compelled her to sit and write.

Her coffers were filled with every word

that had been written or ever heard.

Her pen’s ink she drew from finest wells,

to scribe her magick poetic spells.

Preparing for what, she did not know …

phantasmic vapors began to flow,

kaleidoscopes spun in high hues bright,

to set her young soul to winged flight.

A mandala all her words became,

as each thought lit a poetic flame.

Now, 'twas there she sat, filled pen in hand,

upon the pages bright thoughts flowed grand.

Far into night, soft moonlight glowed down,

every word she scribed would bring renown …

adjectives and adverbs, oh so fine,

she perfectly placed in every line.

Then, at breaking of morn’s early light,

she’d writ everything that she could write;

her eyes grew heavy, her wings now furled,

her weary head lain down, shed the world.

Came dream upon dream, all through her sleep,

great poems so grand, not one she’d keep.

She tried to recall … they disappeared;

'twas as though, a wind her mind had cleared.

Upon the table came into sight

pages labored-on all through the night.

Her heart filled with joy at what she read;

then, slowly her words … each turned to dread.

Something was missing, all had gone wrong;

her melody, became a sad song.

The rhymes were all slanted, nothing flowed,

her bright world spinning had somehow slowed.

Where were the images from her mind?

Not a one, on each page, could she find.

Oh, all her words were still there, alright;

but, they’d lost their meanings, from last night.

Like talking with no poetic voice,

that which seemed thrilling does not rejoice.

What, while she slept, had suddenly changed;

had her words, somehow, been rearranged?

She sat, pored keenly over each line,

discov’ring her words were not so fine.

They lacked those deep feelings she had felt …

all of the love in her heart that dwelt.

Thus, she studied about metaphor,

rhyming  'n rhythm  -- then, so much more.

With syntax, flow, and line-breaks that dance;

her verses, she knew, now stood a chance.

She’d read and learned, by those from before;

now, could express her feelings galore.

Her words, at last, knew how to sing;

it's said, "Each, is an inspiring Spring!"

One cannot do what they do not know,

we must first learn, before we can grow.

So, all you fresh, naïve beginners …

smile, for you each will soon be winners.

Learn our fine art of poetry right;

or, you’ll ever be … a "Neophyte".

Richard W. Jenkins

© 3 Oct 2007

Author's Note

One from the archives (though, long) you may still enjoy and find something worthwhile in.
Originally, it was a "young lad", until one of the site's very observant poetesses pointed out that the majority of writers on here are lasses … I always oblige a charming lady-poet. ; )

Please, feel free to leave well-meant, honest, and constructive critique! : )

Reviews

[Lisasview]

Loved reading this (story) poem.
Really..now Richard what can I say.. Not easy to review what I would call a perfect poem.
Clever..clever..
I understood it so well.
Every line sang to me...
I smiled throughout the entire poem..wonderful feeling..waking up, not feeling great, with this Covid, and reading your poem was such a positive beginning of my day.
Funny, but since I started all this.. was it really only two weeks ago!!
I fall asleep searching for words..and once found, I hope to remember them in the morning..seldom happens because with doing this as I said I fall to sleep..and all is lost in my dreams.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so warmly, Lisa Dear✍

And, I love that you loved anything about this rather contemplative story poem, too. What a marvelous compliment for an olde bard to receive from such an elegant poetess.
Further, that you smiled while reading and actually understand its essence throughout every line, serves to prove I've reached, at least, one appreciative human being … what higher praise could there be than this?

With sincerest gratitude! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Shelley Warner]

I liked that you explained the format of the poem (sestet, number of syllables). I paid attention to that as I read. The poem tells a charming story of honing our writing skills. When I turned 60, living in Boise, Idaho, I found out I could attend Boise State University for $5 a credit. It was a great experience, something I did part time for almost ten years. I loved the writing classes. They helped me move away from being a neophyte.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Dear Shelley 🥀

That you found favor in the introduction tells me you are, indeed, a discerning savant of poetic form.
It is such a pleasure to share with one on your level of formal education … as, this lends a certain validity to the inspiring gratification of your praise, keen observations, and expression of this rather edifying piece.
I, especially, enjoyed that you took time to share a bit of your personal life … it warmed the page ever-so nicely.

Thank you, Sis … you're a lovely sweetheart! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Shelley Warner]

Aww, thank you.

[Richard🖌]

Always, my pleasure. : )

[Picasso]

Now this is poetry in it's finest form! GREAT imagery and description of the woman being talked about within the poem!

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Syr🍷

For selecting one of my humble pieces to read and review. It is truly an honor and pleasure to receive your words of praise and recognition.

Sending brotherly kindness for your day! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem shared Richard. I liked the polite and kind thoughts shared. Us, who love to write. Must be kind and we are always learning. This is a classic my friend. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Richard🖌]

Greetings, John! 🤜✫🤛

Of all who come to read me, I am so very pleased you have, because if there is anyone who will grasp the essence of this piece in its proper perspective … with your extensive poetic experience, I know it will be You, and this is proven by your very own words in review.
There's nothing more rewarding tome than a reader letting me know we've connected, and the value of your praised and expressed appreciation are priceless.

Thank you most sincerely, John.
Bless you, My Keen-Minded Friend! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello my friend. I hope you are doing well and staying safe. You are welcome my friend.

[Tabby Mac]

Is this poem about me?! Just kidding! Well written! And fun to read! Always amazed!!

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Tabby ☀️

It's always nice to hear from you and to receive your briefly expressed words in praise and appreciation.

Happy days, M'Lady! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Tabby Mac]

Just thought I'd pop by! Always a pleasure.

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

This piece of poem put a smile on my face as I read it. It's encouraging, full of wisdom and life. it's actually uplifting. The beautiful thing about it is that, if we don't, how can we know? Even gods learns how to deal with their worshipers by observing them.
Knowledge is light and we are all learning everyday, everywhere and every time.
Being a beginner is the beginning of being a professional.

Thanks for sharing, Richard.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Sir Kay,

Your thoughts shared on this rather extensive piece ring true through your own keen words of wisdom and deeper understandings.

Thank you most humbly and gratefully for selecting one of my works to read and comment on.
Many blessings to thee, Sir Poet! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Einstein Noodle]

the neophyte, the lad, the lass ... no matter eh?! the story for me is very relatable .. can't say how many "brilliant" inspirations I have jotted down while watching TV, waking in the morning, driving home etc. .. like so many we try to keep pen and paper at hand, not to miss those glorious inspirational muse strikes .. most of them ... I read later .. and think ... oh my goodness .. what did i see in that??? ; and into the trash it goes. ... one certainly needs a foundation to leap from eh!?
E.

[Richard🖌]

Ah-so, my dear friend, Gene ⛩️

More wise, true, honest, and relatable words spoken I've never heard, but how could I expect less from one I've grown to admire and respect over the years we've meaningfully communicated together, sharing so many aspects of life and poetry?

Exactly right you are, too, about a sound foundation … I could have written your entire review to this telling tale; almost, word for word.

Many wondrously grateful blessings to thee, Syr Malloy! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Einstein Noodle]

your too kind ... and yes! we have known each other a while haven't we?! :)

[Richard🖌]

- ⁓ 👍🏼 ⁓ -

[Nelyn Salvaleon]

Oh, it seemed I found the son of Shakespeare who just wrote the story of my life in verse..
This piece of yours brings hope to every novice writer who loves playing words without playing feelings. I love the rhyme scheme and every poetic device/element you used as well as words of wisdom like "One cannot do what they do not know" "We must first learn, before we can grow"
In life, we can learn lesson the hard way, sometimes we learn lessons easily, and there were times we learned lessons too late. The common denominator there is that we LEARN, and somehow we grow after learning each of the lesson we encounter every day of our lives..
To you, son of Shakespeare, thank you for this great piece of yours 💕💖

[Richard🖌]

Beautifully and bountifully spoken, Dear Nelyn 🥂

As a woman of sound mind and astute wisdom, you've spoken in a true and knowing voice few would possess the deeper understandings to.
Not only that, you've done so with great humility and clarity any bright-minded fellow poetess or poet would admire and respect you for.

I grow to delight in you more with each of our exchanges.
With warmest hugs 'n happy blessings of thanks! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Nelyn Salvaleon]

It's my pleasure to discover the beauty in you and your poetry.

[Richard🖌]

As it mine, Nelyn, to share it with you. 🍂

[Kerra]

Then, at breaking of morn’s early light,
she’d writ everything that she could write;
her eyes grew heavy, her wings now furled,

Love this part, especially about her wings furled.
This is awesome. Really enjoyed this write

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so gratefully, Dear Kerra ⭐️

Ironically, you've selected three of my favorite lines from this deeply involved tale of a beginner poetess struggling, learning, and coming to light.
That you love anything awesome about my writing is a blessing far greater than I could have expected … I feel so very honored.

Thank you, too, for the "really enjoyed" praise, as I've equally enjoyed your words of expressed appreciation and encouragement.

Warmly yours, Dear Poetess! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Unspoken poet]

She sat, pored keenly over each line,

discov’ring her words were not so fine.
They lacked those deep feelings she had felt …
all of the love in her heart that dwelt.
Thus, she studied about metaphor,
rhyming 'n rhythm -- then, so much more.

Aww, Really well written here, she studied the metaphor, I like that part so much.
metaphors are around us all the time... understanding them is a work of art.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you sincerely, U.P. 🌻

You've, indeed, highlighted some truly meaningful words of awakening, Dear Poetess.
Your accolades and expressed understandings let me know we've connected on a deeply significant level.

Thank you for your review, a poem in itself! ⁓ Richard 🍃