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!

[Chris Shaw]

A beautiful piece of artwork to accompany such an accomplished write. Wonderful flow, rhyme and cadence. Much musicality here. Your lines tell a poignant story. I wonder what the outcome could be? Your readers will be left wondering. I love classical poetry, you do it so well Richard.

Chris

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, lovely Lady Christine 🥀
Nothing tops your most gratifying and encouraging reviews in praise and expressed appreciation, for a humble olde bard's hopeful efforts to write for and please a knowing readers.
I, too, wonder, Chris, what the outcome might be, and I'm betting we both hope it will be a wonderfully happy one. : )

Thank you, Dear Poetess, for reading and enjoying one of my "classical" romance pieces! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Chris Shaw]

Another visit Richard to remind myself of this exceptional piece of classical romance. Well worth the visit I might add. I hope you are keeping well in these challenging times we are living through. All good wishes.

Chris

[Richard🖌]

I am doing swell, Dear Chris : )
Thanks for caring and for taking another bite of the apple … you do so wonderfully humble and please a grateful bard.

May good health and happiness hold you warmly in their glowing embrace! ⁓ RJ 🍃

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Richard. The sentiments you express, reciprocated with warmth.

[kitty]

I have come back from a break away from our hum drum society to a magical piece. Thank you , Richard. An amazing piece, as usual. Puts your readers in that nostalgic, melancholy mood, where past (old) loves/lovers look back and think of what would have/could have been. A seemingly sincere plea that could be re-enforced by words such as these.. Was by the sea where the magic of the ocean infiltrates the mind and re invigorates the being. Thank you once again. Have a lovely week.

[Richard🖌]

Ah, Dear Sojourner Kitty 🌿
It is so truly wonderful to see you so early this morn … you fit very well with my hot mug of tea.
Welcome back … I do hope you enjoyed your time away.
I am happy you came upon this lovely little tryst of majickallly hopeful, romantic bliss that placed your homecoming in such a sweet setting of delightful recall.

Yes, oceansides to tend to have a certain way with hearts and vivid imaginations, eh?
Thank you warmly, Kitty … smiles 'n hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[kitty]

Always a pleasure M"lord!

[Coyote Poetry]

Second chances. We shall few.
"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, I liked the above lines. I enjoyed the calmness and the wish in your words. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Richard🖌]

Ah, my friend, John!
Alas, so true -- second chances all too often quite scarce in affairs of the heart … one opportunity and, "poof!" That's all ya get.
You selected some good lines to highlight, too, at the core of this piece.

Thank you for enjoying my humble little efforts.
May you receive all the chances you wish! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem and you are welcome Richard.

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

I'm not a poet that criticize, but I'll have to say that this is exemption...
It's really a great kind of an emotional poem. It flows so well with mind as I read it.

Great job!

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Sir Kay.
You thoughtfully kind and inspiring words of praise and enjoyment make sharing a true pleasure.

Many grateful blessings! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

My pleasure, Sir.

[BlackPrince]

This is a wonderful poem, with vivid and picturesque imagery. The stanza structure and rhyme scheme are wonderful.

[Richard🖌]

A good Sunday to you, My Fine Friend : )

What an excellent review you've left for this rather lengthy, poignant piece.
It is the Ballad format that lends it such a lovely structure and rhyme pattern, and the imagery, of course, is entirely from the heart and imagination.

I thank you so very much for your gratifyingly inspiring comments … bless your day, Syr Poet, as you've surely blessed mine! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Jade]

Such a very lovely read, it's so sweet and gentle. Nicely done and written

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Lady Brandie!
It's been awhile, and it's so nice to see you on this bright Sunday morning. : )
I very much enjoy your take on this rather hopeful piece of soft romance, and I thank you most gratefully for the inspiring compliment.

With happy blessings! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Richard🖌]

Brandie...
I went to your site to read one of your lovely pieces and leave a review for You, to find it closed.
I wanted you to know I tried … I hope you will be away only for a little while, My Friend. : )

[Susan 🦋]

Such is the ways of a tender heart and love that resides within always... memories of joys mingled with reality. Pain...sigh, but I like the idea of hope. Love always prevails. I lovely Friday morning read.

[Susan 🦋]

oh, I like this image too. The tones reflect an "antique" feeling...

[Richard🖌]

Sighhh*
True, Susan Dear,
Reality eclipses all … tender hearts and hopes, even love and dreams, despite there are those who believe they hold sway over all things; for, life teaches a far different lesson.
But, on the positive side, I am thrilled your Friday was made lovelier by this rather reflective piece.

I, too, feel the same of the picture as You*.
Thanks ever-so warmly! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Einstein Noodle]

well said and written says i! lovely sentiments, rhythm and flow .. wouldn't change a thing ..relatable in many of the varied ways that true love is lost and lamented ... how could she resist this one last plea?! ;) but i have the feeling in time there will be one more ...last plea :) thanks for sharing ..wonderful poetry
E.

[Richard🖌]

Hey, buddy!
Good Sunday morning.
Hope all's been well in your neck of the woods.

yeah, it's always the last time, ei: "I'll never do that again," but you're right, there's always one more. : )

Thanks, Gene, for reading this little ditty of hope-filled romance! ⁓ Richard 🍃