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!

[Azifwecare]

I'm sorry I cannot offer a hard critique or any for that matter for I am noone to judge. I can only hope to share my thoughts with you on your lovely poem. I know your pain, I've been there before. How it hurts 😞 and the way you express your thoughts... Wonderful poem my friend.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear S-1, ever-so warmly and gratefully 🥀

To write for one who so vividly and deeply relates to the very essence of my words, means everything to a dramatically hopeful bard who's blended his heart's imaginings and feelings so thoroughly into his ink and given his best for someone just like You to appreciate.

My warmest hug for your wonderfully inspiring praise and appreciation … may your hours be spent embraced in happiness! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Poetic Beauty]

The sorrow of a lover drifting away into a different direction away from “us” is tearful.

Trying to rekindle an old love isn’t easy but sometimes oh sometimes it turns out to be amazing

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Lady PB 😌

it is so very nice to be read by one who relates and understands so very well the depth and meaning of my gratefully rendered poetic effort.

With an appreciative caress! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Poetic Beauty]

You are most welcome

[Fran Marie]

long long lonely
days and nights
such a longing
to recapture
a romance that
had been and hope
to regain once again~

Shhh! Listen, hear this heart of mine
sing sweet our love's refrain …

speaks a wanton call of love
so beautifully penned
and deeply expressed

nice work

[Richard🖌]

How wonderfully beautiful, Fran 🎶

Your words sing a graciously sweet song of poetical warmth and praise any hopeful bard would be thrilled to receive … as I most truly am.

Hugs to you, Lovely-Hearted Poetess! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[barleygirl]

Interesting storyline progression --> from moaning narrator sounding painfully forlorned & then moving in the direction of accepting the loss & embracing that which can never be lost about what's been lost. Nicely lyrical writing (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Richard🖌]

G'Day, Margie 🌤️

Thanks for reading, complimenting, and commenting on this romantic little piece.

I hope California's been treating you well, with its wondrously glorious beauty! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[texasjane]

I love this poem. Well said and felt. The heartbreaking and so willing to do it all over again. These are the words of a romantic, masterful poet. Thank you for sharing this. I found it to be a heart-warming experience.

[Richard🖌]

Howdy, Jane

A lovely, sunny Texas mornin' to ya … and, how much more wonderful you've made it with your inspiring praise and understanding comments.
There's nothing like a reader understanding and appreciating my humble efforts.

Happy hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[texasjane]

You are so very welcome. You deserve every word. You are truly talented.

[Bonnie Paige]

This is certainly a dear poem with many relatable
Words. The moment I finally gave up on lovers lost I found a greater inner peace. Old loves lost was so important to me, but even then I failed at making them a new. So now in my senior years I chose peace for myself rather then hoping to fix my past lost loves.
Great poem but I hope you find peace and happiness with yourself.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so graciously, Dear Bonnie 😌

Such a lovely thing you've said about my wee poetic efforts to write for and touch my wonderful lady and fellow readers … so truly inspiring you are.
It's beautiful, too, how deeply you relate to this particular piece, though, it's poignantly sad to know you've had little success in renewing any of your olde loves … but, hey! Just think of all the new ones waiting to be discovered and sweetly enjoyed. 😋

As for me, m'kindhearted lady, you'd probably be surprised at how much of my poetry comes from imagination and wishful thinking.
Smiles 'n hugs of ever-hopeful warmness! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Unspoken poet]

Lost rivers from my many tears …
then, flowed to sorrow's seas,

Love the metaphor here, from sea's to tears...aww both in water form.
Sorrow seas, to be quite lonely to drift on...
Awesome writing

[Richard🖌]

Such beautiful softness your voice imparts, Dear Lady-Poet 🥀

A most revealing excerpt you've chosen to highlight from amidst my lines, that tells how wonderfully we relate, and what a pleasure it is to know.

Thank you ever-so warmly for your inspiring compliment, too! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[poetgurl]

who would criticize such a perfect write, you write so well. I really like and enjoy rhyming poems.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Kari 🥂

It is truly a delight to please one of my lovely lady readers in such complete ways, and to receive such inspiring accolades from her beautifully appreciative voice.

Many happy blessings! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[TL Boehm]

A lovely, lonely technically stellar lyrical write. I’m not qualified to give a hard critique anyway, but this has that vintage vibe to it which I find so appealing. It is romantic and gentle and it’s poetic soul is right here 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?

[Richard🖌]

I thank you, Tammy, ever-so warmly, gratefully, and sincerely 🌾

From the lines you've graced, with the same knowing, harmonious breath as my own, there's scant doubt our two silent souls' sibilant songs are smoothly and silently akin.

That you've found such accolade-worthy wonderment in my poetry is more gracious inspiration than a humble bard could hope … but, I'm keeping every word! ⁓ Richard 🍃