An infinite sorrow

Inspired by much of the poetry of this community. An amalgamation of nature and love.

An Infinite Sorrow

(Solitude)

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

Lest light should lose its glimmer

In the solstice of waning day

A field of bending golden wheat

In sorrow and dismay 

Should chorus of crystal rivers

Lament into mourning dew

As all the flighty tree birds sing

A wailing song of you

 

Let time forget these moments 

Whispered yearnings of our past

In the thousand tears that followed 

Of fleeting ardor, love, and angst 

Oh requiem in twilight's autumn 

Serenade this heart to sleep 

Call to mind these memories 

Of her... these tears I weep 

 

Author's Note

One can not be a part of this community and not be inspired by the art shared by others. The world speaks to each of us in these written words. Poets from all parts of the world who reflect the same creativity and aspirations displayed here. Shared love, hope, dreams, and sorrow. Our differences are little, for our empathy is grand. CLE

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“Should chorus of crystal rivers
Lament into mourning dew“
… Carlos, you have truly written a deeply moving masterpiece of poetry here. “Solitude”, yes. Grief, yes. You perfectly evoke the pain of true love lost and mournful tears shed, with your graceful and lyrical verses, perfect musical references, vivid imagery, beautiful language, great meter, metaphor, alliteration and rhyme. This is an iconic, classic and memorable poem. So well-penned. Kudos my wonderfully poetic friend!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Annette for such a kind and encouraging comment on this piece. It is one of my favorites that I have written, at least in the top 5. I devoted quite a bit of time on this poem because its message was so profoundly me. I wanted to take beautiful moments in the world that we so often gloss over and take for granted while presenting a loving melancholy to them. To make it a bit ambiguous as to find a bit of resonance within the reader's heart. I also felt inspired by many of the submissions here in the community and the wonderful talented writers, including yourself, that move me to art. Thank you so much your comment means the world to me.

[Weeping willow]

Wonderfully expressed poem, flows like a love song ;-}

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly Willow. I appreciate your comment on this poem. I believe wholeheartedly on that old adage about writing; we write what we know. This particular piece has much of me in it in many aspects. Though the "Her" could define many things which brings me to sorrow. I loved writing this poem and love it in general as a composition and message for the reader. Art should always be expressive and meaningful in thought so that it may have the most profound affect in the audience mind. But for a writer to achieve such an endeavor they must be willing to reveal much of who they are as a human being. Because it is in that reflection that your readers will come to find relevance and relatability in your words. Where they both find that common ground in the art. So never be afraid or doubt in expressing your thoughts and heart. You never know whose life you may inspire or change with your art.

[W. Barrett Munn]

End-rhyme is so difficult to do without it sounding either forced or like a nursery rhyme but you have managed to avoid those traps and do it well. Congratulations.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

As a more mature writer I have come to see and realize through the artistry of others in this genre of writing we call poetry the complexity in the art form. It may appear simplistic at times, but it is far more difficult a task to achieve a profound and effective piece. I have a greater appreciation for poetry now than I ever had in my youth. In its creative process I feel it challenges me as a writer to create in theme a thought provoking and empathetic message with immediate impact as say a story which is less constraint in rule and word selection. It's the creation of a puzzle in rythmic cadence and tempo, or a parable that sings with wisdom. I know I will never master this art form and I believe we are never truly meant to. Because it is much like life in its constant evolution. And much like ourselves as living emotional creatures. Complex, the perfect imperfect, and aspirational in its call. It's more than a recital of words, it's the touching of another human heart through language. And it is simply poetry. Thank you so much again for your kind comment on this piece. It really helps me grow as a poet and the art that I seek to refine and achieve. To know myself.

[Throwing Romeo]

Need i say more?

[Ranger Kessel]

I sense a great loss here. I also sense a strong writer. Nice job

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much for your comment. You're much too kind. Writing brings me peace of soul. It reveals much of who I am, as well as the promise I wish for in this world. Creativity is such a vital piece of our humanity. It's where hope is woven. And it is a reminder of the things we leave behind in our evolution to be just better human beings. Never doubt in your art or the voice from which these words stem from. Thank you so much again.

[Ranger Kessel]

Your welcome

[Throwing Romeo]

Thank's for setting the
tone and pace i was
surching for...

R.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you for the kind words and taking the time to read this piece. Never lose sight of your expression in the art that dwells within you. Let your work resonate in the hearts of others so that it may inspire them to their own creativity and voice. The hardest and most difficult aspect of our work is not in the writing but in the revealing. Because art is so very personal and reflects us within the words we write. Be true to your words. It may be cliché to say but it is so very true. Thank you again.

[Stella Armour]

aww, i didn't expect such love and sadness all wrapped into one beautiful write.

A credit to you Carlos, not many poems bring tears to my eyes ..

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you stella for your kind comment on this poem. I really appreciate it. I intended to use metaphors that in hindsight elicit the beauty of nature, but in this piece would be a call to sorrowful loss. Writing at its strongest should be evocative and an emotional journey for the audience. To make the reader feel in some way about the art being presented. To touch the senses and emotions of what makes us human. This poem was one of my favorites to write because of its universal message and loss as well as sadness. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on this piece of poetry. I really appreciate it. CLE

[Stella Armour]

my pleasure, and yes good poetry should touch the heart and soul the reader..

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Excellently beautiful lines that literally touch the heart of your readers ... Most especially this piece of your heart set to pen of page speaks to me of my late wife of 49 years whom I lost this past January and whom you see with me in my profile pic to the left ... Thanks for sharing ...

Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly Marvin for your touching comment on this poem. I am sorry for your loss. I wish I had the words to express my sympathies. But I can only speak of my own experience from tragic loss. My poetry and art only exists because of the powerful love and admiration I had for my grandmother. Who in my eyes was the greatest storyteller I have ever known. Each and every word I stitch is a requiem to her influence and love upon my life. Without her I am not a writer. And even after the many years since her passing she is still a vital and important part of my life. The words of wisdom reflected in much of my writings are all her. She is the good ghost of my soul, and it is her empathy that defines my heart. I believe wholeheartedly that she has given me this creative gift, for it represents the greatest values of legacy. Thank you again my friend for your comment.

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham]

Carlos,

In my own life, the inspiration of muse has pretty much been the same as yours, as my Dad was the great story teller and so I adapted his talent for spinning tales into my writing my often dark and morbid stories, and, in addition, I have made use of someone very dear to me to pour out the muse of losing someone that I loved, though I would never ever have her, because I would always, to their dying day, be in love with my wife, even though at the time we had been separted many years ... Suicide, without good reason such as a termially tortuous illness, is a tragic and heartbreaking loss of human life ...

Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham

[Chris Shaw]

Beautiful expression of sorrow here Carlos. Your mournful lines brought back memories of losses. I have lost many flwomen friends due to cancer before their time. At one time I suffered from survivor's guilt. Why them and not me, but the best that I can do is live life to the full. That's what they would have wanted.Thank you for sharing.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Chris for sharing such a personal thought with me. I myself have experienced a similar guilt as I struggle with depression and see many who have lost their battle against it. Art is cathartic to me as well as my medicine. If offers me an opportunity to heal myself without being medicated, though I would caution those who suffer greatly to seek and find the help the best leads you to a better life, even if it is medication. My struggles are my own personal perspective because I come from a family who tend to suffer through drug abuse. It is prevalent in many of my relatives and I have constantly had a fear to fall into such addiction that has lead to the death of those who I have loved. Writing is my medicine and a bandaid on a festering slowly healing wound. It helps me heal myself and speak to others who may be suffering as I have. I told a friend recently I don't expect to change the world with my words, but I do hope to at least influence one heart. And in doing so hate dies a little bit in this world. Thank you always for the encouragement of your thoughts and friendship as well. CLE

[Betty Hermelee]

We all face sorrow at one time or another, and for different reasons.."Let time forget these moments" for they are fleeting s of the past; do not dwell on sorrow for there is so much to look forward to; Just as summer's sorrow wanes in to a new life of autumn, we, as poets and writers can look to new thoughts, ideas, notions of memories of those that have passed that give us new life; there will always be tears shed, but those will dry up in time. Best, B

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you B for sharing your thoughts with me on this piece. Your comment is a poem unto itself and really does speak to our angst and melancholy as artists, which tends to create sublime art.

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Carlos!

[redzone]

what a wonderfully mournful and soulful poem to read on coming back to the WC community for the first time this year.... and you Carlos, being a part of this community, give us a really great treat of reading and empathy.... so happy you are here and with poems that allow us to read and see not only our humanity, but the world community we live in.... or, I guess I could simply say, I love your poem Carlos,,,,

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Curt for such a kind comment. I appreciate it. This community has been so very supportive and encouraging to me and my art. Each writer here are fellow creatives who I view as my peers and friends. After the death of my father in 2002 I stopped writing. I wrote very little up to that point because I didn't believe in my voice and words. I felt they lacked commitment and value. Trying to emulate writers whose work I idolized. Instead of choosing to stand for my own values and thoughts. This wonderful community gave me something I never had before. It made me brave. Even now in difficult times I have been able to utilize this quality in my life to be stronger and hold true to my beliefs. This worldwide community has given me back my love for writing and a passion for this remarkable art form. One that I took for granted in my youth, and in my older age have come to understand who I am as a human being and my place in this world. Amongst my peers and most importantly my friends. Thank you again for your kind comment it means a lot to me.

[LJW]

Very beautiful. I cannot write like this. I spew words on the page pretty much unfiltered from brain to pen. I am an undisciplined writer. This requires patience and discipline. I respect that.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I think you're an amazing writer, LJW. You write from the heart and most importantly you are uncompromising in your voice. Those qualities are the heart of writing and reflects a brave true creative soul. We as artists are our worst critics. No one can tear us down more than our own self doubt. I want you to know you are a writer and have proven it by being brave and showing the world your art. That is the hardest thing any creative can ever do because it is so revealing and leaves one vulnerable and open. So never forget that. Thank you for your kind comment because it comes from a soul I see as my peer and fellow artist. And it means the world to me.

[LJW]

Thank you so much.
I have been published many times. I do know my "worth" as a writer. But I also know my limitations. The yin and the yang. What I cannot do, another can.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

The beauty of art and creativity is that its power is without limits. It is our own confidence that limits our potential, as well as the constraints we place upon ourselves. As artists we tap into those same reservoirs of unlimited possibilities. We aspire towards our greater art believing it has yet to come into existence. There are many time I feel limited to grasping what I believe has yet to be conceived by my mind. Because my doubts rest upon my manic depressive mind. Not the potential of my heart. I hope my comment is not taken as disparaging. It really is not meant to be. I can only divulge the resonance of art to me personally and in my own journey and beliefs. To me it is a blessing to have this creative gift because it allows me to focus rather than regress towards my mental state. I come from a family of addiction and it is why I have never chosen to be medicated in order to find balance for my mental disease. Creativity is my drug and outlet that grants me a peace of mind against my Neurosis. And hope is what I cling to if I can change the life of just one human being who is willing to accept a single piece of my art into their heart. Would it be nice to write as a profession? Yes, to a degree, but to me not so necessary. Perhaps that is my limitation as a writer. The yin and yang of my soul is in constant turmoil, but in the vast chaos my art is conceived. I find encouragement that those many artists here in this community who are published have responded positively to some of my art. I consider all of you my peers and fellow creatives. And most importantly my friends. Art to me will always be subjective and left to the audience to Interpret its value and worth. In their eyes they will define whether my work was amateur or professional. And all that I ever ask or want is just that one single heart to change and make better in this world. Thank you LJW for the art you share with all of us, and especially the gift of friendship within those shared words. You truly are a gift.

[LJW]

Such kind words.
I understand what you are saying. I also soothe myself and my previously medicated depression and anxiety through writing and art. To me, everything I lay my eyes on is art. I aspire to be nothing other than the vessel. What comes out of me, comes through me. I am merely a scribe.