Sometimes they trickle quietly...

Sometimes they trickle quietly
Along my heart's lost alleyways
To fill into my Longing's Pool
The fragrance of forgotten days
Sometimes a dream of perceived light
They spin for my old yearning's sake
Bereft of warmth though shining bright
A frozen sunset o'er the lake

Deceitful in their borrowed sheen
The perfumed breaths in amber trapped
The mountain tops in sunrays soaked
By winter's baleful snow still capped
I lift a seashell to my ear
And ponder o'er its robust song
From shallow depths it sounds so near
Though Time has stretched and days are long

Why crave contentment's honeyed trap?
And bask in wafting reveries?
On erstwhile glory's hallowed grave
Throw roses of your memories
And fashion deftly with your hands
The cradle of your Fancy's Child
And sail on waves of Life to lands
Where in her splendour she runs wild

Reviews

[Chandradhish Ghosh]

My favourite lines from the poem
"Why crave contentment's honeyed trap?
And bask in wafting reveries?
On erstwhile glory's hallowed grave"
Although I cannot claim to be a critic but what is attractive about your writing is the intelligent word play. Since in most of your poems I see a central theme, I can understand the amount of time and effort you spend in building it. This one has been built quite well and I like the way you end the poem. Optimism should always lift!

[Augustus]

Thank you so much! Yeah, the style is something that I have honed over the last five or six years. Structured verse can be rather difficult to work with and unless the structure becomes one with the soul of the poem, the impact is not delivered. This is especially true for "serious" poems. But the right form can sometime elevate the poem beyond the height that free verse can take it. That's why I sometimes go out of my way to "invent" new stanza forms, like I did in "Ode to a Butterfly".

[AlexValkyrie]

That was a wonderful read. I enjoyed every word of it. You have a unique level of talent and I look forward to exploring your other poetic works.

[Rebecca Buller]

I lift a seashell to my ear
And ponder o'er its robust song
From shallow depths it sounds so near
Though Time has stretched and days are long

Such beauty. As I sit here reading this, I'm simply in awe of your marvelous gift. Both a physicist & a poet. You're a true Renaissance man. I've already tucked this poem safely away into my favorites & will drink slowly from it when days are long.

[Augustus]

Wow thanks Rebecca! Quite humbled by your generous words. :)

[Rebecca Buller]

You're very welcome, and I'm looking forward to reading more of your writing:-)

[Augustus]

I'm glad you are. I'll drop by yours some time soon. :)

[Rebecca Buller]

I'll have to post something soon. I'm actually rather new to the site & I've simply been enjoying the works of my fellow scribes:)

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

The fragrance of forgotten days--great line, really and truly evokes an image that is both beautiful and unsettling at the same time. I feel the angst in this one; that peculiar and terrible longing that comes with the unnourished "love-soul". Well written, sir. I shall be back to read more of you!

[Augustus]

Thank you so much, Friday! (If that's what you want to be called :))

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

LOL Friday...Sarah...whatever you like.

[Augustus]

Sarah it shall be. Thanks! :)

[asdarkeyesclose]

'To fill into my Longing's Pool
The fragrance of forgotten days'

some gorgeous images in this. i wanted to sip on the poetry very slowly and savour the imagery, i loved the trickle of water to the heart, the memories, beautifully described and the what i call 'vintage' feel and flow of this piece. few can match the old greats, i think it is largely due to their education and use of myth within their imagery in a way we simply can't approach but this is a lovely poem and one that i enjoyed reading. fantastic.

[Augustus]

Than you so much, Beth! You have a deep understanding of structured verse so it is always encouraging to receive positive feedback from you!

[Frieda P]

Such a romantic and elegant read, seems as though it'd be written under moonlit skies this lovely write. Much enjoyed.

[Augustus]

Thanks Frieda!

[Frieda P]

My pleasure, it was a unique read, you have a special style all your own.

[Augustus]

I'm delighted you find it to be so, Frieda! :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this does remind of much of the old time poetry...one difference though...

i like this...the lines are smooth and real...and this doesn't feel forced...actually reminds me a bit of Whitman..our first real beat poet who got away from the norm of form..and did some free verse...his still had beautiful rhythm as does yours.

[Augustus]

Thank you so much Jacob! Your comments are insightful and helpful. I am glad you find the lines to be smooth and real. I think it is largely because I have used inversion relatively sparingly, unlike some old of the old time poetry.

Although I predominantly write structured verse, I don't rhyme for the sake of rhyming. I choose a structure that I think will convey my thoughts and emotions best to the reader. Indeed, sometimes I find free verse to be the best choice, so I've written a bit of free verse too!

Thanks again!
Shreyas

[tom]

This is poem is superb. The imagery is beautiful, but the sound is breathtaking. Very impressive work!

[Augustus]

Thanks Tom!

[Ken Simm.]

Supremely well structured. This fits precisely into its niche and so flows very well indeed. Again it harps back to the age of enlightment and the poets thereof. Something that is out of sync with our present society and is so refreshing as a consequence.
Perhaps I perceive a hint of Coleridge in this elegant write. A touch of the dandies flounce also.

[Augustus]

Thanks a lot Ken!

[Mockingbird]

eloquent, polished, reminiscent of the romantic poetry of 18th and 19th centuries. it's amazing that a physicist can be such an accomplished poet. it just goes to show you never know. there is wisdom in this poem and a lesson to be learned. great poem, a pleasure to read.