The Flame Life's Made [passion]

ENGLISH SONNET … my first in quite awhile.

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The Flame Life’s Made

Lantana dresses hills' and vales' green breasts …

as, you now often view dreams through my eyes

binds kindred spirits by deserved bequest,

creating truths no mortal could devise.

When unexpected miracles appear,

life’s universe expanding, opens wide

to all that's manifest and held so dear …

there lives no doubt, love cannot be denied.

Yet, in the arduous book our lives have writ,

stand many daunting walls unjustly built.

O'er ~ wings unfurled soared high and never quit;

for, we're still bound, regardless fear or guilt.

There’s nothing can step-in to rid what’s true …

nor, douse the flame life’s made of Me and You.

Richard W. Jenkins

© 9 June 2024

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Author's Note

Artwork:
"LANTANA"
courtesy of Shutterstock

Please, feel free to offer honest, helpfully meant critique.
✍

Reviews

[Susan 🦋]

And here it is! An English Sonnet. Ahhhh You got me right with the first 3 words!! Lantana dresses hills? (WHY didn't I think of that lol) Gorgeous Richard. Oh, but that tug...and it's there. Life! So many twist and turns and QUESTIONS! Yet, in the end, all that really matters is love. We meet where we are and love the best we can! Dang Richard! It's a lazy Sunday and I'm loving the poetry today!

[Richard🖌]

Susan🌸

From the tug of your own expressive words of gentle appreciation, praise, and deeply shared understandings embraced within the lines and verses of this humbly romantic piece, breathes a lovely lightness that imbues the page with sweet bouquet.
You've spoken so eloquently, so familiarly of love's irresistible allure … thank you ever-so warmly for sharing your always winsomely thoughtful feelings.

That you love anything about this passionate little Sonnet, is more than adequate gratuity for writing and sharing it with You! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Sami Khalil]

Natural beauty oozes forth from the words to enrich our senses with wonders and tender splendors.
May I say, enjoyenment of poems like this is treasured by the senses.
Thank you for sharing sir Richard.

[Richard🖌]

Beautifully spake, Sami Dear 🥀🐝

"Delight" is such a simple word, but it becomes filled with the caress of rich enthrallment when such wondrously laid words of poetic endearment, as yours, fall softly upon a grateful bard's eager ear.
As enriched and treasured as your senses' enjoyments are, mine are equally embraced by your graciously gentle praise, in warmingly expressed appreciation and gratitude.

You are truly welcome … and, I am ever-so gratefully thrilled you enjoy me, Sami ⁓ Richard🖌

[Sami Khalil]

My pleasure and delight as we embark on more journeys.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Richard.. Lantana spreads Romantic overtures of endearing Mozart Symphonies .. where Arms entwine and become a Brothel of breathless ecstasy. The Sun and Rain become Thunder and Lightening as Lovers sleep among the Moon and Stars. ⭐️ with soft kisses 😘 Pat

[Richard🖌]

As though …
on a magic carpet ride⁓*

Yearning vines entwine
in vibrantly gentle fervor,
twilight's saffron Moon blushes,
as trembling seas undulate.

One never knows where
such lush poetic enthrallments
might sweep willing hearts
of those swaying together
in matched rhythmic beat.

Especially, when caressed
by enticingly cast spells
of softly placed kisses.

Thank you ever-so warmly, Dear Pat,
for such a delovely poetic review.
Coziest hugs! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Lisasview]

Love that is deep and because of that so true is written in your wondrous words.
Each line shaped to meet the next with glorious thoughts of what matters in life.
Unexpected miracles do appear......
Chance meeting develop into life long friendships....
Thinking of you,
Lisa

[Richard🖌]

Indeed, Dear Lisa 🌿

You've so keenly grasped and unlocked the very essence of this poem's secrets that no simple mind, heart, or soul could.

Bless you in all your wondrousness!
Thank you, Dear Poetess, for your tender touches! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Lisasview]

Just reread your beautifulSonnet dearest Richard and once again it reached my heart.
Lisa

[Marie]

I love the excellent choice of graphic which complements the words of this beautiful poem. I had never heard of this beautiful vine until I came upon this sublime write just now and I Googled it! It is a very lovely flower and worthy of dressing the green hills, bringing them to live with such vibrant beauty. Love where it lives can never be denied, just as love which doesn't live can never be created. Where love lives the flames leap upwards towards the heaven of one's heart. Where love does not live the heart is a mound of grey ash. Nobody, nothing has the power to come between two loves who are one in heart, in mind, in spirit. The final two lines are the icing on the poetic cake for me. Though only two lines, they speak volumes! An amazing Sonnet! You put Shakespeare to shame! But, you are a true magician with words and that is reflected so magnificently in this wondrous work of art. A privilege to read. Thank you for sharing, Richard...

[Richard🖌]

Goodness-ME, Marie😊

What encouragingly stimulating accolades you've gifted to make a hopeful bard catch 'n hold his breath … and, from such a dazzlingly accomplished poetess, in her own right! Sighhh*
Isn't "Lantana" a lovely name for a flowering vine? I, too, had not heard of it until another of my students included it in her English Sonnet titled, "Colorado Dreams" … here is how it was used in one of her verses:

"Amongst Lantana on the mountainside,
White Clover grows midst slender Pussytoes.
From Flagstaff Mountain, Boulder shows its pride,
lush bouquet born of Mallow softly flows."

Marie, isn't poetry such an enthrallingly complex art, to be made from such simple words?
Your take on "love" is quite beautiful, wise, and wonderfully intuitive … I'm gently touched.
To hear Shakespeare's name spoken on the same page as mine is certainly more than a humble poet could have expected, and to know you think of me as a "magician with words" fills one's cup to overflowing, but I'm keeping every word you've so graciously gifted me.😌
The two lines you've highlighted have a special taste for me, as-well, Marie … as You've so meaningfully expressed, I, too, feel they're the heartbeat of this piece.

Your privilege, Dear Marie, reflects my own at your presence … thank you ever-so gratefully! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Marie]

Most welcome, always, dear Richard... Thank you!
Yes, I love your student's beautiful verse. Simply exquisite and with a grateful heart, I thank you for sharing with me...
I am indebted to you, dear poet...

[Betty Hermelee]

nothing, not upon this earth no matter what can spoil our love for each other...through the most bitter times our love will prevail..." there's nothing that can step in to rid what's true"...." love cannot be denied" ...A beautifully stated poem!
Warmly, B

[Richard🖌]

Good morning, Betty 🌤

I hope your days are sprinkled with lovely smiles … the same ones you've gifted my happy lips. 🤗
Thank you ever-so warmly and gratefully for the graciousness of your presence, for sharing this passionate little poem with me, and for blessing my humble efforts with such expressed joy and praise.

With happiest hugs! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Betty Hermelee]

A lip- smacking review dear Richard!🌷much apppreciated
Warmly, B💥