. . . S i m p a t i c o . . .

Linked Quatrains in 8/6/8/6 Ballad meter, abcb rhymes.

.  .  .  S i m p a t i c o  .  .  . 

It’s written, "Those who don’t care why

will never know what’s real …

nor, find compatibility,

but only to conceal."

Conceal what’s true within their hearts

that share what others might …

such peace of mind and sanity

that comes with great insight.

Insight … tho, who can know and tell

of  those they cannot see,

that live out on the razor’s edge

of mediocrity?

Mediocrity knows so well

of what it’s like to cry,

or how it feels when someone loved

suddenly says, “Goodbye.”

Goodbye to bliss that’s never been;

what happened to our plans?

We loved so well … I thought we did;

it slipped right through our hands.

Hands reaching out in cold despair,

where warmth once thrilled us so,

embracing every dream we had;

yet, ne’er simpatico.

Richard W. Jenkins

© 20 Jan 2023

.

Author's Note

Artwork courtesy of Wikimedia © Free

Offer whatever you think will improve this piece. ✍

Reviews

[Lisasview]

My heart aches with the thoughts that you beautifully write in your poem. I know too well the feeling that you express in your gental words....We love or so we think... we embrace those feelings from so deep and then life happens and many do not retain the feelings that were once so important to them. What is it that ignites and keeps that bond between two forever? Is that possible? If not why?
Is it true dear Richard, that bliss has never been? ......" Goodbye to bliss that’s never been;
what happened to our plans?"
Perhaps, when we are young our communication skills are not great....and, there lies the problem.
Still rereading your amazing thoughts... and still thinking about them..
Oh gosh another thought... before I sign off.... Many stay married even after the "bliss" is over...even when there is only cold between them...and, there are so many reasons why... I find this to be sad...
Lisa

[Richard🖌]

Ahhh, Lovely Lady Lisa 🍷

One thing (among many) I adore about sharing poetry and reviews with you is how you delve deeply into whatever I write to find the nuggets of emotion, thought, feeling, desire, poignant sadness, happiness, etc; you seem to have a way about you that perceives more wisely and knowingly than most, and you know how to express it … this is why I love sharing with You.
So much of life's vibrancy is lost by those who "stick it out" long after the love and magic of romance have turned cold and indifferent.

Yes, Dear Lisa,we could dwell on this for many a day (and, night) … LOL!
Thank you for sauntering by! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Lisasview]

I fell so connected to your thoughts that my reviews come easily.
Yes, it would be amazing to dwell on this…
As I have many more thoughts about this.
I might message you with my thoughts.
L

[Richard🖌]

Message away, M'Lady! : )

[Robert Trakofler]

the form and frame of this is wonderful I love how you transition each word into another stanza the rhythm is spot on and it flows so nicely! I hate to say it again but you are A master of form poetry! the trick as you already know is to make the form invisible to the reader so it becomes as natural as an exhale wonderful thoughts and flow Richard always a pleasure to read you

[Richard🖌]

G'day, M'Fine Friend 🤝

Ya know, Dear Robert?
What I find amazing is how meticulously spot-on your grasp of whatever my olde pen has dribbled onto the page always is … plus, how the graciousness of your candidly effulgent expressions of appreciation, praise, and enjoyment gratify a bard's hopes to appease a reader's most discerning needs.
To me, there is no greater compliment or higher reward than receiving these.

May brotherly love brighten your day, as you have mine!⁓ Richard🖌

[Marie]

The convolution of a loving relationship is classically inked in this poem. Plans made can fall by the wayside as we devote time and energy to outside events and fail to notice and take care of what is happening behind our own closed door. It can seem as though love suddenly slipped away, but the truth is it was slipping away with a very long time unnoticed. Dissatisfied one partner will have had enough and eventually walk away. The partner left behind is like someone lost in a desert, they never foresaw this day coming, or the loud sound of silence in conversations, it is very difficult for them to understand. Missing their loved one, the relationship at an end, one begins to grieve for its death and there are many "If onlys, I should have, I could have" thoughts, but they come to late to make a difference. A truly heart rending poem, Richard. I am sure so many readers will be able to relate to it. A masterly work from your poetic pen. Thank you for sharing, Richard...

[Richard🖌]

Spot-on, Marie! 🤔

With such brilliance in acumen and insightfully deep understandings, it's no wonder I've so quickly become enamoured by your reviews.
A truly nice compliment, too, from such an accomplished poetess.

For the sharing, you are sincerely welcome, Marie.
I also thank you! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Marie]

Most welcome always, Richard...

[poetgurl]

WOW! Emotional write really, love the picture and your words.
Amazing write.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Meg! 🎶

Your brightly expressed praise and poetic love have encouraged a bard's happy pen to smile and dance.

Blessings, Poetess! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Kim S.]

Love this write, I think your write is heart tugging really.
Love the picture that you used.

[Richard🖌]

Greetings, Lovely Kim 🌸

That you "love" anything about my humble writing efforts is an embrace I'd never want to miss. And, to know we've connected emotionally is a bard's poetic dream.

May your heart smile as brightly as you've made mine.
Thank you ever-so warmly, Dear Kim ⁓ Richard🖌

[Kim S.]

no problem. Have a wonderful day

[Richard🖌]

Now, I think I shall ; )

[Kim S.]

I haven't been on here for a while. I've a lot going on lately

[Richard🖌]

I truly understand, Dear Kim 🌾
And, how beautiful it is to know you've once again returned to us.

A most Happy Autumn to thee! ⁓ Richard 🍂

[Kim S.]

you too......

[Amy R]

What a meaningful poem.
"It’s written, "Those who don’t care why
will never know what’s real …" VERY TRUE WORDS HERE.

I liked the constant rhyme of this poem to. Very well done.

This piece explores the complexities of human relationships and the challenges of finding true connection/ compatibility with others. It reflects on the pain of failed relationships and the longing for understanding and emotional resonance

Your words always inspire me.
-Amy

[Richard🖌]

Good morning, Amy Dear 🌤

There is something about your shared insights, in the ways you speak to me that ever-so gently reveal we're on the same compatible wavelength … and, that (for me) is a stimulating rarity, indeed.
The line you've singled out tells me we dance to the same music, and coupled together with your expressions of praise, appreciation, and inspiration, how more rewarding can that be to a passionate poet? I can't even begin to imagine!

Color me gratefully blessed!
Thank you, Amy ⁓ Richard🖌

[Amy R]

Aww, wow, didn't expect such lovely response,
I do agree, I have an eye for certain things in poetry and once it speaks to me, I will say,..
I am happy to hear this, u made my day,
thank you dear poet, 🤗😊
-Amy

[Richard🖌]

I bow to thee⁓*

[Amy R]

😯🤗🤗Keep well dear Richard.

[June bug]

"Insight … tho, who can know and tell
of those they cannot see,
that live out on the razor’s edge
of mediocrity?"

Oh such wonderful lines! This is magnificent wording here.
I really enjoyed this write a lot. Pleasant take on words and clever.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Lady June Bug 🐞

By choosing one of my favorite verses in this poem to highlight through your wondrously gifted expressions of praise and enjoyment, you've lit an otherwise overcast, stormy day, and a poet's hopeful heart.

Bless you in every grateful way words can say! ⁓ Richard🖌

[mou]

Some people can never be together (despite their best efforts) because a 'Goodbye' has already been destinied for them.
The empathetic soul suffers the most. This void is very painful but you do not allow it to outstrip the 'love' that still lingers in your every word.

'...Goodbye to bliss that’s never been;
what happened to our plans?
We loved so well … I thought we did;
it slipped right through our hands...'
❤

It is a heartfelt write. Honestly speaking, I didn't need to look at the 'photo' as the poem had already been started speaking. Beautiful poem!
- mou

[Richard🖌]

Ah, Lovely Lady Mou🌷

How sweet it is to receive such introspective words of insight and understanding for this rather complex, heartbreaking piece. And, your effulgent accolades are such a warmly gracious light bestowed upon a hopeful bard's earnest efforts to reach out and touch at least one other who can grasp and receive.

Thank you, Dear Mou, for your gracious compliment, but most of all for your always welcome presence! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Poetic Beauty]

Sometimes people simply aren’t compatible; they may love each other. However they may not be able to live together for they have mass fundamental differences and personality clashes when in the same space as each other too long.

Sometimes people grow apart because they evolve and change in different directions. There are many reason why people as couples le and friends say goodbye

Well thought out and a deep thinking piece

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, PB Dear 🥂

What a fresh breath it is to write for and share with one who actually grasps the essence of my humble work, and who is skilled enough to express their understandings in such vivid detail.

You're a true pleasure! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Poetic Beauty]

You are welcome. People
All people are complex and emotional. No one is exactly alike and not all personalities can get along. It is a fundamental part of life. The better we understand this and grasp this notion the better as whole we can get along. Being comfortable saying we aren’t compatible and that’s okay.

[emmajoygreen]

Yes, admittedly. the picture lured me closer, Richard.. there is a look that gently beckons the eyes to look more. And, yes I did.. thankfully/ Your poem has its own special life; the use of the last word in each stanza to start the next and yet, not one 'clever' is not the right word - will think of one in the early hours, more than likely. Meantime, movement abounds, sir!

[Richard🖌]

It,

Is always interesting, Em, to learn of what your eye sees and interprets the essences of what one of my simple poems might be?
Most times, you're spot-on, making it seem we're on the same, or close, wavelength.
I, too, wondered at 'clever', thinking, perhaps, 'artful', 'crafty', or um, who knows? LOL!

Many thanks, Em, for another of your brilliantly thought-provoking reviews.
Gratefully yours! ⁓ Richard🖌️