For Those Years Ere

A poem style called Swap Quatrain Richard taught me in a week and I hope you like it as much as I do -- it was fun to learn but hard to do, the picture is from Google Images.

For Those Years Ere

That old tree fell in forest deep.
For every limb and leaf I weep,
when all the fauna knew it well;
in forest deep, that old tree fell.

The wise old owl, frisky squirrel,
around its branches wind would swirl.
Around its trunk heard hunters howl,
frisky squirrel, the wise old owl.

In Winter’s grip the tree stood bare,
in nests and hollows built with care;
where in and out quick heads would zip --
the tree stood bare in Winter’s grip.

Those years now gone, birds sang sweet song,
amongst its arms the whole day long.
Through each season from dusk ’til dawn,
birds sang sweet song, those years now gone.

Many days spent, I was so young
climbing that tree -- rope swing I swung,
dreams passing by, grown-up I’ve went;
I was so young, many days spent.

Now, there she lays crumpled and broke,
bark fallen off, once a strong oak.
I, too, alas, will live my days,
crumpled and broke -- now, there she lays.

Reviews

[Lisasview]

Yes, I do like it very much Sammie.. Wow, you learned to do this in a week.. Bravo!!!
I just finished my final revision on Hand-in Hand and Time..
Working on the others..
Just started CRY and hope to make that into a Sonnet..with Richards help.
Looking forward to reading more of your poems..dear Sammi

[Sammi]

Hi Lisa it feels good to get a review as enjoyable heartfelt and generous as yours and a Bravo!!! thrown in that just made me smile all over hehe!
I should come and read more of your really good poems -- this one Richard MADE me do it right because of my stubborn streak to do everything my own way but he knows best and just look at what I wrote and could never have learned it without him, I will come soon to read your sonnet CRY -- thank you! :)

HUGGS!
Sammi

[Lisasview]

Did you read my poem Time.. I reworked it and resubmitted it.. Cry is not finished yet.
Yes, please do read my the poems.. I read quite a few of yours..
Lisa

[Sammi]

Hi Lisa I am not on much and I do not have time now but when i am on next I will come read and review your poems -- promise. :)

HUGGS!
Sammi

[Lisasview]

Great Sammi..
I wrote my first two seductive poems and submitted them last week..
Lisa

[Kesch (Finding Julia)]

The wise old owl, frisky squirrel,
around its branches wind would swirl.
Around its trunk heard hunters howl,
frisky squirrel, the wise old owl.

I love squirrel's and owl's frighten me with their eyes,
This is simply wonderful though. amazing write.
love the form.

[Sammi]

Kesch that is my favorite verse and I think like you do with the owl's scary eyes lol, like they light up!
It is nice to know you think this poem from my childhood is wonderful and you love its form, you should give it a try, I can help you or better Richard will I am sure -- thank you! :)

HUGGS!
Sammi

[Neville]

Now read several times & still think its great... because it is..

[Sammi]

Hi Neville -- sorry to be so late but I have not been here in a long while getting things taken care of at home. You made me smile reading my poem several times and giving me that great compliment too is a good feeling -- thank you! ❤️

HUGGS!
Sammi

[Neville]

No worries .. Better late than never .................... :)

[Traci]

Your title captured my attention. The emotion and imagery was heartfelt throughout, making your words come alive, especially towards the end. Well done, and I"m sure you've made Richard proud with yet another crafted poem.

[Sammi]

Thank you Traci for wanting to be my friend for the encouraging compliment and for picking this poem to read and say such nice things about, it is true that Richard is proud of how my work turns out but he is so patient and helpful or I never would be able to write anything like this -- he says I have potential but I will have to be more dedicated to make it come out lol! Your words made my heart very happy -- thank you again! :)

HUGGS!
Sammi

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Kudos to you for the superb construction and eloquence of this intricate and touching poem. Absolutely breathtaking. Exquisite form, cadence, rhyme and lovely natural imagery. Last verse brought a tear. Richard is a great teacher on this site and you are a very apt pupil!

[Sammi]

I really do like the ways you use your whole name Annette Pisano Higley that loving profile picture too and how delightful your beautiful words are with sprinkles of praise and understanding, they are like a sweet poem that whispers softly to my heart.
The last verse just fell that way it was supposed to be a happy poem of my childhood days, and it is true what you say about Richard he is so patient and generous of his self his masterful talents and knowledge, he says I am a good student but could be more serious about following my potentials lol -- thank you Dearest Annette! :)

HUGGS!
Sammi

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You are very welcome Sammi!

[emmajoy]

'In Winter’s grip the tree stood bare,
in nests and hallows built with care;
where in and out quick heads would zip --
the tree stood bare in Winter’s grip.'

If Richard's only recently taught you this form, you're obviously a quick learner cos this is more than a fine Swap Quatrain, Sammi!

The movement of the phrases is almost musical, the tale within a little melancholic - true or not, but there's a truth to it.. .

[Sammi]

How nice emmajoy for you to read this new poem saying those lovely things about it and the lines you picked I really like.
I asked Richard to teach me this style and I'm not such a quick learner because he helped a lot to keep trying for a whole week till all was made the best I could with his patience hehe, it is almost a true story from my childhood meant to be happy but went its own way in the end lol -- thank you! :)

HUGGS!
Sammi

[emmajoy]

Meandering when writing is one of its benefits or drawbacks, don't you think! Great writing anyway, will read more some time.

[Sammi]

I wander around in my head a lot lol!
I would like that a lot emmajoy and thanks again for the nice compliment.
I'll come read your poems too. :)

[J. J. Nightingale]

I am not a fan of FORM
BUT WELL DONE !!!!
Wow, very nice.. great flow !!
I Love THIS !!

Jazzy..

[Sammi]

How sweet of you Jazzy to read this poem and leave me wonderful compliments even if you don't like the form of it and to know you "Love" it is like creamy icing on a strawberry cake lol -- thank you! :)

HUGGS!
Sammi

[J. J. Nightingale]

I like the form here..just not a fan of FORM in general.... lol.... You are welcome............J.J.

[Susan 🦋]

Sammi! This is just wonderful!! What a power packed poem filled with vivd imagery! You did an outstanding job! I love the wa this piece plays out...from begining to the crumpled and broke~end.YOU GO GIRL!

[Sammi]

Susan to have your beautiful words of praise and encouragement this new form for Me [I bet Richard already taught You], what a marvelous poet you are my idol and I hope to one day be half as good as you, I love you sister -- thanks so much! :D

HUGGS!
Sammi

[Susan 🦋]

Hardly a marvelous poet and certainly will never be as good as you, Sammi. I’m just me.

[lightsong]

Heart-touching poem, wistful rhythm, sad gentle tune to add but perfection to Your smoothly flowing words, I may not know of forms but I feel You've mastered it here dear Sammi! I applaud You high!

[Sammi]

Oh gosh sweet Light how dearly I love it when you say such beautiful things about my writing it makes me feel so accomplished and appealing lol, and I know someone like you does not have to know any forms to like them because you feel it in your heart -- thank you for the high applause! :D

HUGGS!
Sammi

[John Alexander McFadyen]

An excellent piece. Richard is a master of poetry and knows many forms which he writes so well. You have taken to it like a duck to water and this flowing tribute to your memory is indeed a sad end Sammi!

[Sammi]

Your writing is beautiful Sir even in your reviews, it could turn a girl's head. ;)
Yes, Richard is a real master poet and amazing teacher if he can teach me anything lol! I truly admire and respect him his patience understanding and teaching ability.
You encourage me and make me feel happy I share my little poems -- thank you! :)

HUGGS!
Sammi