In Ache's Sea, Longing (demise)

Nabla Del (shape or concrete poetry form)

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Author's Note

"NABLA DEL"
an original shape or concrete poetry 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 each separated by a free space.
It can be a challenge … if you try it, just have fun!

Painting: Sadness, contemporary oil on canvas, by Francesco Depentor

All well-meant, constructive critique is welcome! : )

Reviews

[Lisasview]

Wow, wee.... yet, another style of poetry to ponder as I struggle over my newest form... This so well explained in your authors notes..how kind and gracious of you!! This one of yours, so full of life and love...
Ah ... such is life and, oh so fickle the longing ... and, then to be left.. aching...I relate in oh so many ways..as we get older and life flitters by, we all have so many memories of past loves...held onto for awhile and then gone..
Your delicious poem made me go back to many past times ...many memories..
Really enjoyed this read of yours...
Lisa, on the computer of a couple of dear minutes..

[Richard🖌]

Well, gosh, Lisa 🙄

How could I have ever missed such a wonderfully laid gathering of words that virtually dance up and off the page in praise and expressed appreciation for this rare concrete/shape form.
That you actually understand and relate to the poem, itself, that it brought back lovelorn memories, means so much more than a bard's simple diction can convey.

Thank you for enjoying anything from my grateful pen.
Warmest hugs to You ⁓ Richard🖌

[Lisasview]

I am delighted that you saw my review of your wonderful words dearest Richard. Strange because I wrote it about a month ago... I think sometimes reviews do not show up when they are actually posted??
Anyway, you are more than welcome.. it is my pleasure to review your work.
Lisa

[Richard🖌]

Sometimes,
The site does not send an email notice of reviews, review comments, and even messages … it happens occasionally.

[Lisasview]

I thought so because as I said I wondered what happened with all the reviews I wrote for your poems and Sonnets, etc..
Lisa

[Richard🖌]

Well, I'm not the only one this has happened to … several have messaged asking if I know what's up?
If you know of any more of your reviews I've not attended to, please, let me know, but let's do it on Chat.

[Lisasview]

Sure...no problem

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my heart is breaking Richard .. done so well says i! in reading i was absorbed and with you all the way .. oh such an ache indeed .. "ebon" reads for me as high language yet everyday speaking keeps this poem for everyone who has loved so and been left :( so glad i did not miss this one .. love the form .. you seem to have mastered it very well. thanks for sharing your stuff my friend!
E.

[Richard🖌]

Mornin', My Fine Friend : )

If anyone would appreciate, relate with, and grasp the artful essence of this rather poignantly stilted bit of ultra-organized and formulated diction, I knew it would be You.
Concerning "ebon", this is poetry, ya know, written in proper English language poetry, rather than merely simple, stripped-down, common, everyday speaking; it, should be special, and if the reader doesn't know a word, the dictionary will help them learn … LOL!
As You, my friend, I, too, am glad you did not miss this one; especially, since you love the form and did such and exemplary job with your own excellent Nabla Del … you make me very proud.

"you seem to have mastered it very well" In as much that this is a form of my won creation, one would think I should have. ; )
You're welcome to my shared "stuff", Gene, and I thank you always for reading and leaving such great reviews … keep thee ever safe 'n well! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Richard🖌]

"a form of my 'own' creation" … sheesh! Don't get olde, it just ain't worth it. 🤪

[Einstein Noodle]

:).........................

[Eilis]

Hi, Richard. It’s nice to see a new poem from you. The form and your formatting add such a lovely visual appeal to the words. It’s an additional layer to the meaning here.

I am reading Paradise Lost with my kids and when I began reading this, I felt some interesting connections to that epic poem of exile. They reaching towards something unreachable and feeling lost in the understanding that the sea of longing can stretch endlessly out before us. Being jilted in love, especially long-love, can be such a painful thing and finding a remedy for the pain can seem impossible. Your poem expresses that so well. The heights we can experience giving way to the depths of longing in loss. Great work from you, as ever.

[Richard🖌]

Gently laid, Eilis 🌸

Ever elegantly gracious, the kind warmth of your tender poetic voice chimes warmly through my hopeful bardic senses … bowing low, I thank you sincerely.
The warmly congenial, generous manner in which you've expressed relating to this, somewhat constrained, poetic work spreads a smile across my rugged mug with a lovely feeling rarely received in such an intelligently expressed review.
I so intricately relate with your own sentiments to lost love's deeply painful longings.

Thank you ever-so warmly and sincerely for your truly treasured review, Eilis ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Patricia Wedel]

A statue of unadulterated love in a garden
can be the saddest symbol to place among
the most romantic romantic vintage Roses. gently, Pat

[Richard🖌]

How beautifully your gentle poetic voice sings, Dear Pat ♬

Thank you ever-so warmly for reading me and for your embracing words of romantic passion … hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Laz K.]

I normally don't care for "shape poems" because I (used to) find them too suggestive, and unnecessarily limiting. But this one is an exception: it reminds me of the star of David, and pyramids, wedges that split trees, and hell. To spark so many associations is the mark of a great poem.

[Richard🖌]

It's true, Laz,

Few appreciate shape or concrete poetry anymore, but they once were the craze. Every once in awhile it's fun to compose one to share with those who might enjoy it, as it seems you have this one. : )
I've really enjoyed your exemplifications of the Nabla Del form, and your inspiringly gratifying compliment, thereof. The "Star of David" analogy may even have sparked some creative thought.

Thank you, my fine friend, for an intelligent and appreciatively expressed review! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[barleygirl]

Nicely succinct storyline about love & loss. You probably realize that professions of love in stilted language is not something I can relate to, nor review effectively. Let's just say that your perfectionism is humming & on display here & that's why people love your style (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Margie, Dear 🌷

How lovely to find your name in review on one of my rather "contrived" pieces. As I am sure you know (with your astute poetic skills), though not impossible, it is (somewhat) beyond my level to make such a restrictive format flow naturally, or more effort than I'm willing to exert to make it so. : )
If I were to follow my own axiom, the form and poetic exactness would be equally as appealing.
Still, I'm quite thrilled you found favor in the precise form of my original little concrete/shape composition … thank you for your expressed honesty in all facets.

You both honor and inspire … happy hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[barleygirl]

This is a beautiful response to my review. This shows that we've come a long way, baby! *smile*
read moreThis is a beautiful response to my review. This shows that we've come a long way, baby! *smile*

[Richard🖌]

So true, Margie 🔻
Who knows our limits. ; )

[Lia Columbus]

The downward triangle is really beautiful and so are your words. I have felt this, the joy and the aching. Most of our stories are based on the same plot. Especially in such modern times, love has lost its essence.Now it's the job of you and I to keep it alive. : )

[Richard🖌]

Gosh, Lia 🍁

Your words are like a softly sweet, gentle song -- smooth and caressing to a bard's hopeful desire, that someone will read, appreciate, and feel his humble efforts, just the way you have. Even tho it's sad to think of you with such ache, this is how we learn, grow, and blossom, eh?
To imagine You and I keeping love alive is a blissful notion, indeed! ; )

Thank you ever-so warmly, Lady Lia ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Lia Columbus]

Richard, you are the one who should be getting appreciations, you talk like a gentleman... Everytime I read your review, I start smiling and my sister raises her eyebrows. Longing and ache is a part of life we live, I have accepted that.. Plus we really need men like you out there..
Lia

[Richard🖌]

Now, Lia, you make me blush* 😊
Bless your sweet smile and your sister's knowing brows. ; )

[Ladysue]

This form is unique and doesn’t seem easy to do. Great visual. Your works speak of an ache that is all too familiar. You captured it perfectly. Beautiful done..

[Richard🖌]

Thank you Dear Ladysue ♫

Your words … so lovely, inspiring, generous, and kind … truly make a bard's heart smile and sing.
True, the form is a challenge to try, but in a fun way, too, that will improve the skills of those who do.
Poignantly, it seems you relate to this rather emotionally sinking piece.

Thank you ever-so warmly and gratefully for sharing this one with me, Ladysue! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[T.S. Ulmus]

An ambitious form and rhyme scheme well accomplished. I've been orbiting a woman for more than a decade so this poem speaks to me, recently we've found a nadir, but there is still much longing and aching. You've captured great feeling in an impressive scheme.

[Richard🖌]

Greetings, TS 🍂

I thoroughly enjoy receiving a well-thought and shared review, and the personal touch lends a feeling of friendly camaraderie, too.
Long term relationships can be a blessing and a curse, often, both, and I am sorely sorry to know of a lull in yours, but c'est la vie, eh(?) … life and love are often likened to the undulating ocean's whims.

Thank you ever-so greatly for your accolades and expressed enjoyment … from a poet of your stature, it's welcomed, thankful praise, indeed! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Richard... your golden touch lingers on my mind... as the Moon’s glow and the
Sun’s shine entwine on the Brink of day and night. My Heart dances around in the Firmament. Tenderly, Pat

[Richard🖌]

Ahhh, M'Lovely Lady Pat 🥀

Thank you ever-so warmly.
If ever I should wonder why it is I so love to write and share my humbly hopeful poetic efforts, I've only to read one of your deliciously stirring reviews to know.

You tenderly touch warmth's vibrant fiber … ummm-HM! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Patricia Wedel]

M’Lord... Heaven is so near when your pen brings a tear of endearment... Summers smile lingers on the wings of a Painted Bunting where feathers flutter in celebration of love and goodwill..
tenderly, Pat