To A Little Rose On The "Big Island," Pt. 2 (2018)

                        For Rose Shillito... Still...

I can’t deny this truth.

  And it’s no mystery,

  To any who know our history,

How much I’ve missed you.

      ***

I miss how you challenge me.

  I miss talking with you.

  I miss walking with you.

I miss how you salvage things.

And I’m wondering now

  If it’s hurting you,

  Turning thirty-two

With me nowhere to be found?

Distance is something that I might outgrow.

  But for now, you’re an old theme

  That’s crept back into my cold dreams--

And I think of you every time I see a white-out rose.

      ***

Now I concede on

  How you went out of some kind of need,

  And how I stayed out of some kind of greed.

  But I would follow you to the edge of the map.

  I’d walk with you to and through hell and back…

Just smile and lead on.

      ***

But now, I feel utter pain,

  Looking back at all the times you consented,

  To keep track of all of the rhymes I invented--

So many of which bore your name…

Because now, I have to let you know

  That autumn is here again,

  And it’d be something of a sin

For us to now be too close.

But I promise, I’m still your friend.

  And on that note,

  It is my hope

That you’ll be mine till the very end.

      ***

  No.

I can’t deny this truth.

  And it’s all but mystery,

  To all who know our history,

How much I’ve missed you.

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'To a Little Rose On the "Big Island"
Wesley Dingler,
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It is wonderful how a person retains the reality of what they have shared with one another. Inspiration in life does transfer to our hearts-minds. It is definitely seen in where, what, who we seek that inspiration. Obviously this writing above is about a precious friend. It is a tribute and that is so special. I hope you continue to find inspiration in your life all around you.
Blessings,
Kathy

[Wesley Dingler]

Thanks Kathy. Of course I'm pleased you loved this so. I personally am more partial to Part 2, as Part 1 was just too sad for me--even if I did write it.
Friends who inspire me are especially special to me.
And it's true romanticism to me. I still live in this world where men and women can be perfectly fine mates without sleeping together, and I think this is one of the many examples of that.
Just one of many I've projected over the years.

I can actually read this one if I'm having a low-end day and it seems to pick me up. Let's face it, poetry was more therapy to me than anything else. Like looking at an old photo that makes you smile or laugh no matter how long it's sat there unattended.
And this was romantic therapy.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Your welcome Wesley. I appreciate the explanation for your above writing. It is always so nice to see the reasons behind why and how people feel, think in their creative life. Photos are amazing. I totallly can identify there. Well life goes on and I am glad you will find a lot in others to inspire and beinspired.
Blessings as always,
Kathy

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Gorgeous poem and you’re so right W. Thank, much less sad than Part 1. Great flow and musicality. A poignant, winsome write. Kudos!

[Wesley Dingler]

Thanks Annette. In away, I guess the two of these are a time-piece, displaying how one moves forward after a dear friend moves away. In time, you get used to it, for the most part. That's what I feel both of these get across.

[Lanny]

Such a melancholy poem, sprinkled with nostalgia, that expresses your emotions on the subject material so succinctly. You really employ some beautiful phrasing to achieve your effect.

Thanks for the read, and all the best,

Lanny

[Wesley Dingler]

Thank you, Lanny.
Even when I'm writing something sad like this, I try to make the rhyme cushion the emotion of the verse.
It's my hope that worked out well.

[light and ashes]

There is a feeling of a dull aching pain in the heart that can be felt by the reader while reading this poem. It flows beautifully through out it, well done.

[Wesley Dingler]

Thank you much. I'm happy you liked it.

[light and ashes]

You're welcome

[Coyote Poetry]

You took the reader with your to pleasure memory and wishful places.
"Distance is something that I might outgrow.
But for now, you’re an old theme
That’s crept back into my cold dreams--
And I think of you every time I see a White-Out rose."
The above lines, perfect and kind. Thank you Wesley for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Wesley Dingler]

Thanks, Coyote. I'm glad you liked it. It left something of a bittersweet taste in my mouth, though, I must say.

[Coyote Poetry]

I did enjoy and you are welcome Wesley.

[Stephanie]

Coming from someone going through a breakup as of yesterday, this made me want to cry. lol and I didn't shed a tear during yesterdays breakup. This was so raw in emotion.. very nice job, truly.

[Wesley Dingler]

Well damn. I don't really know if that's good or bad. It was heavy-hearted, but not meant to make people cry.

Oops.

[Stephanie]

Haha it was well written and full of emotion is all :)

[Wesley Dingler]

i can live with that.
Be good, Steph. And try to dry your eyes as quickly as possible, because you have too much potential to be crying over anyone.

[Stephanie]

Thank you, I'm doing okay for the most part. But I appreciate your words :) hope your shoulder injury heals quickly!

[Chris Shaw]

Your words here are touching. Though things didn't work out in this relationship there are no hard feelings. You are able to reflect on the good times and there is a genuine feeling of loss and a desire to remain friends. Nicely conveyed.

Chris

[Wesley Dingler]

Thank you, Chris.
As always, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[Sami Khalil]

I love how your poetry has that conversation type narratives to it. As if a song of the heart, you bestow upon us romance and mystery.

[Wesley Dingler]

Thanks, Sam.
That's why I call so much of my poetry Rhythmic Word Art. In most cases, I write that style more than "official" poetry.
This peice is more Rhythmic Word Art than poetry I think.
But whatever they'll call it, I'm always happy that you like my style.

[Sami Khalil]

Good to know. You are welcome.

[Lydia Waldock]

This reminds me of a mix of two songs by flatsound “if we could just pretend” and “in the absence of everything I promise to keep you warm” the way you have written is very touching, it’s nostalgic and melancholy for a lover in the past, who may or may not be close now. It’s a very reflective peice looking at how you were in the past and who you are now. I love it!

[Wesley Dingler]

Thanks, Lydia. I've actually never heard of either, but I will look into them.
yeah, this a dedication to my second oldest muse, you'd say, who moved to Hawaii a few years ago. But she still comes home from time to time, and she has always carried this powerful inspiration with her.
It's weird how there can be a million people in the same room, but Rose still inspires me more than any of them will, whether I'd care to admit it or not.
We are twin muses, I guess.

[Lydia Waldock]

Its still lovely, and personal! I love the story behind this