Old Love (second thoughts)

Ballad in alternating iambic tetrameter/trimeter (8/6/8/6 counts) and abcb, defe, ghih, etc; rhyme scheme.

It’s well I know of lonely nights …

these ever longer days.

Each time my lover's strayed-away

and I'm the one who stays.

Lost rivers from my many tears …

then, flowed to sorrow's seas,

with plaintive, soft-sent sighs to thee,

beseeching on bare knees.

Too well I know that painful grip

of steady, lonesome days,

and dread the fall of eventide,

devoid of your dear ways.

Comes ever to my waiting hope,

unanswered, echoed calls …

there's no relent to this dire need;

too sad, each tear that falls.

Shhh! Listen, hear this heart of mine

sing sweet our love's refrain …

oh, do your feet begin to dance,

or does it bring you pain,

to know that stars cannot take back

what's twinkled in our eyes …

nor, moon forget that which he's seen

on high from warm night skies?

If you shall answer with a, "Yes,

my soul is lonely, too!"

Why not then give us one more chance,

to make old love brand new.

Richard W. Jenkins

©2019

.

Author's Note

Painting: Oil on board, courtesy of Pinterest.

Please, feel free to leave hard critique, but know what you're talking about. 🤔

Reviews

[Marie]

Old love never dies and this pleasing ballad supports my theory. Soft, gentle, warm and emotionally touching is exquisitely penned in a beautiful simplicity. A very evocative write filled with symbolism as the story of love missed is painted superbly throughout. Giving love a second chance for some couples, sadly not for everyone. Missing someone so special is very impressively penned in this sublime write. So enjoyed reading. Thank you for sharing, dear poet...

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Gently Kind Marie 🌾

To be so intricately, graciously appreciated, and knowingly praised by such an accomplished poetess, with clear, keen understanding, entices a hopeful bard to blush with the sheer sincerity of passions sent and felt.
It is poignantly written, "Once falling out of love, it is nearly impossible to fall back in."

Warmest hugs to You! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Marie]

......and also to you, dear poet!

[K writes]

to know that stars cannot take back
what's twinkled in our eyes …
nor, moon forget that which he's seen
on high from warm night skies?

Maybe but it sure can dim the light in someone's eyes, sometimes be blinded by that light as well.
Love takes two, when one decides not to love anymore it dulls that shine for one half of that party.
This is a since heart warming write though.....

[Richard🖌]

Oh-yes, Dear Kay 🥀

I so deeply understand your sentiments and completely agree, as the first four verses of this rather pensive piece also concisely convey … it's said, "Great minds think alike." : )

Despite our shared skepticism, how thrilled this hopeful bard is that you've allowed his humble words to warm your gentle heart.

With hugs 'n blessings of grateful thanks! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[no tell writer]

Such a wonderful and beautiful write. This is lovely.
Your writes flow so naturally and they are touching.

[Richard🖌]

Such tenderly warming words, Dear Katzie✨

How can a grateful bard help but feel a blush flow through his very fibre, when a lovely poetess's voice embraces his senses ever-so graciously with her approving assent.
You make me feel happy for writing and sharing.

A big thank you HUG, Lady Katzie! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Beccy]

To me, this has the sense of someone writing about their own passage through time. A charting if you like, of those moments that come to us throughout life, of opportunities lost, or perhaps not recognised before the page turns and it becomes too late to turn back the clock. It has a slightly melancholic feel, but is utterly charming and lyrical and reads effortlessly.

Classic poetry at its best.

Beccy.

[Richard🖌]

Beccy🍂

Such a lovely surprise it is finding your always appreciated, highly-regarded, and creative review 'neath this rather pensively involved piece.
Your insightfully brilliant interpretations never fail to let me know we're on the same page, inspiring deeper feelings, perspectives, and dimensions to ponder … what could be more stirring; especially, when it's all from such an admired artist, as yourself.

Thank you, Dear Beccy, for your keen, inspiring praise and expressed appreciation.
Ever beholding! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Anuja Sharma]

"Lost rivers from my many tears …then, flowed to sorrow's seas"
I truly like the way this piece starts with so much pain, knowing one's sorrows and loneliness, but what we all need in life is love, companionship and honest relations. And that's what it ends with. I really dig this poem Richard. Great work, amazing lines, connecting emotions.
Regards,
Anu

[Richard🖌]

Ahhh, Dear Anu 🌾

There nothing quite exciting and warmly gratifying than receiving intelligently rendered critique for one of my deeply heartfelt poems … I love being on the same page with a skilled reader. 😏
Not only do your dancing words speak to my core, they've left me inspirationally wrapped in your appreciative knowing glow of love's earnestly mutual power.

With my warmest hug of thanks to Thee! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Anuja Sharma]

You're most welcome Richard. It really feels so connecting when you encounter such beautifully written pieces, umm the most amazing part of reading I would say. Keep writing.😊💕

[Richard🖌]

Anu,
You've a, umm, warmly delightful way of "connecting." ; )

[Alexcat]

Ohhhhhh thank you, thank you thank you, this was a truly wonderful read! My heart dances, great counts.

[Richard🖌]

Mm, how wonderful is that?
Alex is the name of my cat!
Now, here you come along,
review me like a sweet song.
Makes my heart skip 'n dance,
better than any old romance. : )

Thank you, Alexcat Dear😻

You're welcome, welcome, welcome, and thank you ever-so warmly for blessing my humble efforts with such inspiringly gratifying accolades.
What more could a bard ask than to make a lovely poetess' heart dance, knowing she considers my poem wonderful with great counts.

Sighhh*
Big hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[lovelymarina]

Richard!! You are a TRUE POET. The lines flow perfectly, with a specific number of words per stanza. Something about that not only makes the poem sound “more poetic” but also improves its appearance. This poem gave me feelings of longing, a break up, wanting somebody back… trying to revive the love and allow the pain to subside. It’s hard… reminded me of my ex. It would be nice to make all the bad go away, wouldnt it? Another great piece from you… not surprised.

[Richard🖌]

Yes, Lovely Marina🥂

It would, indeed, be so wondrously enthralling if we had but to wave our magic wand to swift all "bad" away from memory, that we'd throw our arms and hearts wide open to start anew … ahhh, but alas, c'est la vie 'n fate!
You know what amazes Me about You? It's the seemingly natural, almost instinctive, eloquence you possess in perceiving poetry's finer, more significant facets and virtues that make its poetic voice sing and dance … purely emblematic to the master flowing your veins.
Your exacting interpretation in every aspect of this piece is uncanny, but why (by now) could I expect less.

A truly gorgeous review, Mon Lovely Marina ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Shelley Warner]

A work of art, my favorite lines:
to know that stars cannot take back

what's twinkled in our eyes …

nor, moon forget that which he's seen

on high from warm night skies?

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Dear Shelley 🥂

Oh, what a wonderfully inspiring and gratifying compliment you've paid this hopefully humble bard … thank you ever-so warmly … blush!
How encouraging it is, too, that you've highlighted those few lines amongst my favorites.

Hugs 'n blessings to thee! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Suzanne Sonderleigh]

Such a beautiful and haunting poem. I love the “old English” words and the composition!

[Richard🖌]

Ohhh, Suzanne🍷

I'd walk a mile for your love of anything I've written, and your warming compliments make my humble efforts feel all the more worthwhile … I am sooo thrilled you found favor in this little homage to renewed romance.

Thank you, Lovely Lady-Writer … happy hugs! ⁓ Richard🍃

[Kerra]

Too well I know that painful grip
of steady, lonesome days,
and dread the fall of eventide,
devoid of your dear ways.

Gosh Richard, I can really feel your words here "Too well I know that painful grip"
I do a lot these days. This is wonderful as well as filled with beauty as well.
emotionally filled and beautiful at the same time. Nicely written.

[Richard🖌]

Dear Kerra 🌼

Such a lovely review you blessed me with … it's how you've expressed your thoughts, feelings, and emotions that tells me we've truly connected on a meaningful level.

Thank you, Kerra, ever-so warmly and gratefully for finding such virtue in this rather hopeful piece.

I am so very happy you come to read me! ⁓ Richard 🍃