Then What?
When two no longer share from day to day
love set to span eternal rainbow years,
encounter prematurely hell's harsh way
when, unprepared, warmth wanes in winter’s tears,
when morn lights up wan mourning heart apart,
when cold creeps irrespective of bright ray,
when what was wed is sudden torn apart,
when was was said can’t be explained away,
when Past’s outcast, when there’s no second start,
when all horizons darken into one,
when time’s conveyed on sodden tumbrel cart,
warp weft reft patterns warped, thread dead, undone,
when, where two played, one, sad, remains, cheeks grey -
what then … when there is nothing more to say?
27 September 1996 revised 3 December 2008 and 22 April 2009
robi03_0830_robi03_0000 SXX_DJZ
for previous version see below
Then What?
When two no longer share from day to day
love that should have spanned the rainbow of the years,
prepared hell prematurely in their way,
as when warmth meets with Winter’s frosty tears,
when dawn lights up a mourning heart apart,
when cold creeps up regardless of bright ray,
when what was wed is sudden torn apart,
when was was said can’t be explained away,
when Past’s outcast, when there’s no second start,
when all horizons darken into one,
when time’s conveyed upon a tumbril cart,
when warp and weft and pattern are undone,
when where two played but one remains, cheeks grey, -
what then, … when there is nothing more to say?
27 September 1996
© Jonathan Robin
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Fresh Perceptions
Though formal verse depends in part
upon what flows before, the mind
weaves new waft on old weft to bind
a unique imprint when hand, heart,
through sense decyphered may impart
fresh perceptions to unwind
conundrums which most readers find
to inaccessible to chart.
Love of language tears apart
formality, digs deep behind
the lines to draw conclusions signed
in images which ever start
to sketch horizons infinite.
Quest’s laurels rest with insight bright.
3 December 2007
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Cold, Cold Heart
Suddenly, you get a crazy feeling
Then in harmony
I wont be trading places
Now youre history,
Forget the time I let you play
Your mystery n I dont know
Happy from the start
Then ripped and torn apart
Looking for a place within your heart
Cold, cold heart
Not like the stars that shine so bright
Cold, cold heart of mine
Dont you remember
Cold, cold heart of mine
Close to me youre taking out the boy in me
Your chemistry
Frightens all the life from me
Your honesty
Sometimes aint so good
For your mystery n I dont know
Happy from the start
Then ripped and torn apart
Looking for a place within your heart
Cold, cold heart
Not like the stars that shine so bright
Cold, cold heart of mine
Dont you remember
Cold, cold heart
Cold, cold heart of mine
Loves for nothing but you try to get much more
Looking for something you never had before
The words left unspoken
Just walked right out the door for evermore
For evermore
The magic that love brings
The magic, oh,
That lights the stars so bright
Shine so bright
Yeah, gonna tell the world I love her
Gonna tell the world I love her
Cold, cold heart of mine
Dont you remember
Cold, cold heart
Shine so bright
Cold, cold heart of mine
Dont you remember
Cold, cold heart, yeah
song performed by by Wet Wet Wet
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Foreplay
Seventy seasons sliced by harvest scythe,
sent spent from feast’s fields to untimely grave,
while g[r]azing Time derides begged ebb-tide crave
denies recycled dream, Life’s token tithe.
Who dwells on Death when young and carefree, blithe? -
child heedless plays till taught how to behave.
Adult, aware of all he’d pay to save
from dark forgetfulness, as worm will writhe
an hour, though blind, before brain’s dropped by hive,
good-bye encounters, countdown’s final wave
submerging shawl with pall. Fresh faces pave
new roads, loads, sequent stage for limping, lithe.
Dead end lies destiny both mouse and man
enjoy - span evanescent also-ran.
© Jonathan Robin robi3_0540 written 28 September 1996 revised 23 November 2006 revised as sonnet 3 December 2008 - see below for previous versions initial title Childsplay
Foreplay
Seventy seasons sliced by harvest scythe,
s[p]ent from fields of feasting for[e] Time, grave,
g[r]azes with equanimity, the [g]rave
seems dream recycling tinsel token tithe.
Who dwells on Death when young and carefree, blithe?
Child heedless plays till taught how to behave.
Adult, aware of all he’d give to save
from dark forgetfulness, as worm will writhe
an hour, though blind, before life's final wave
with pall's enshrouded, for fresh paths must pave
subsequent stage for limping, hale, pale, lithe.
Dead end is destiny both mouse and man
enjoy - span evanescent also-ran.
© Jonathan Robin robi3_0540 written 28 September 1996 revised 23 November 2006 modified 17 April 2008 for previous version see below
Childsplay
Seventy years cut from the waiting scythe,
gleaned from fields eternal where Time, grave,
g(r) azes with equanimity, the (g) rave
is but recycling of Life’s token tithe.
Who dwells on Death when young and carefree, blithe? -
the child plays till he’s taught how to behave.
Adult, aware of all he fain would save
from dark forgetfulness, as worm will writhe
an hour, though blind, before the final wave.
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Winter night and the three little men
Winter Night and The Three Little Men.
The Fire burns bright,
While the woods turn to night.
The cold creeps in with sudden quickness
and trees set in sudden ice.
It is, suffice to say, that this is a cold Winter night.
The fire that night kept warm the three little Men
and cast a light that stayed the predators of that cold winter night.
The cold crept and the Wolves howled but all tried in vain
for the fire kept the three little men safe,
but men are lazy and some call them crazy.
All the same because that winter night was to
be the last for the little three men.
The three little men eyes drooped and finely closed
but the poor men forgot to tend the fire.
The fire went out with a flicker then a splutter
and Winter night crept in;
There was one witness that cold Winter night, the Moon.
Try as she could her brightness could not save the poor
little three Men, that cold Winter night.
Josiah, Lozier
poem by Josiah Lozier
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Prisma
Rainbows shine pure through spray
of drops, prismatic view
of multi-coloured hue
emerges from the grey.
What seem impressions true
tomorrow melt away.
Dawn's daily spider play
displays silk nets anew,
through diamond stranded dew
lights scintillate, breeze sway –
all things sing echo, clue
interpreting the Way.
Dew's sparkling interplay
between earth, water too,
empowers life; curfew
of night lifts, gifts relay
world’s waking wonder woo,
air slakes thirst, scorns delay.
Nature must convey
respect to dew as due,
for where its overdue
photosynthesis may
not from primaeval stew
evolve - for mammals too
no haemoglobulu.
Life offers [th]us each day
diversity where you
can rediscover new
its beauty on your way
to Paradise, - display
of nuances, each true.
So as we travel through
time’s complex interplay
perhaps impressions stay,
perhaps disperse into
new background bright and blue,
perhaps... but who can say?
How can links one mind drew
then be restated? Clay
may be remodelled, hay
cut neatly so a few
twin stems splice true, but who
may reproduce mind ray
unique of each soul’s s[t]ay?
12 September 1996 revised 5 October 2009
robi03_0825_robi03_0000 XXX_NZX
for previous version see below
Prisma
As clouds contain a spray
of drops, prismatic view
of multi coloured hue
emerges from the grey.
What seem impressions true
tomorrow melt away.
As daily spiders play
their silken nets anew
through diamond stranded dew
light shines in every way –
so all is echo, clue
interpreting the Way.
Life offers [th]us each day
diversity where you
can rediscover new
its beauty on your way
to Paradise, - display
of nuances, each true.
So as we travel through
time’s complex interplay
perhaps impressions stay,
perhaps they melt into
a background bright and blue,
perhaps... but who can say?
How can links one mind drew
then be restated? Clay
can be remodelled, hay
cut neatly so a few
stems twins appear, but who
may reproduce mind ray
unique of each man’s s[t]ay?
12 September 1996
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Words Woven - Parody Mary BEULEY - Words Woven
Words woven into speech
soon reach
intact thread spirit of each act,
knit warp and weft of wit wish fact,
dreams' tapestry may teach.
Words express essentials,
transmit, unwind
from mind to mind,
address ideas which, blind,
would grope for means to equate
sensations refined,
coarse, sophisticate.
Thus they incarnate
emotion's multi coloured coat, pattern twist
around ideas which form,
unform,
inform or disinform,
or take by storm
precisely or by gist
the geist soul kissed.
Words woven into speech
pen hand,
when scanned
from thoughts’ life blood leach
emotions, sense, dressed to suit
points phallic and points mute,
ideo-grand!
© Jonathan Robin Parody Mary BEULEY 1837_1916 written 12 December 1995 – Words Woven revised 31 July 2008 notably first verse below
Words woven into speech
soon reach
to knit the spirit of each act,
the warp and weft of every fact,
through dreams to teach.
______________
Words Woven
Words woven into rhyme
In time
Become a tapestry of thought
A canvas of experience in which
Our dreams are wrought.
Words are the evidence of what goes on
communicate
Within the mind.
They clothe the invisible
With robes of speech,
Sophisticated as silk,
Homespun as hessian,
And in between
The many-patterned, many-textured range,
Familiar and strange,
Of words -
Woven and dyed and spun
For Fun
Or seriously aware
Of what is there.
Words woven into rhyme
Or prose
Transpose
Giving the tiny embryo of thought
A dress to wear, most delicately wrought,
And caught for ever in a form know
And understand.
Mary BEULEY 1837_1916
© Jonathan Robin Parody Mary BEULEY written 12 December 1995
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Overwhelming Needs 0977
I share an overwhelming need to give and to receive,
Hold feelings words fail to express, if uttered few'd believe
As message follows message, as flood gates fall at last,
Voice echoes hope's choice, knows flow sows, advancing very fast.
Electric thrill, heat, chill, here fills both body, soul, to weave
A waterfall whose rainbow shawl fulfills, must not deceive,
Now safety-net's forgotten, fears fade as fades the past
Once threatening to bird who'd wing through shadows overcast.
Vain fears are shown, tears overblown, as two twinned hearts conceive
Excitement new which through and through can run, yet never grieve.
Raw, uncooked feelings flow, both know, prepare for shared repast.
With freedom found, with chains unbound, perceive horizons vast.
Here we're as one, and have begun to interact, naive,
Enchanted too, as two discover much we may achieve.
Life's aim: love's flame, no need for fame which fades like winter leave,
My melody, true harmony, from one love's drawn, outcast
It would soon wilt, let nothing filter through, each word miscast:
No coloured dot forget-me-not would greyness dull relieve,
Grant ease of heart if two apart were torn beyond reprieve.
New worlds await where anger, hate, unknown are, we'll outlast
Ends and beginnings as Life sings, can never be downcast.
Each has an overwhelming need to give and to receive,
Decide with me, soon we shall see soul, spirit, interweave.
(8 November 2008)
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Homeless Kisses
instinctively august modalities
shade the cloudswept marshmallows
composing his lustrous bedfellows
pillows in the dark momentum
footnotes for their kisses
roses in the park momentous
headnotes of their kisses
rendered homeless
erstwhile winter stirs
in memorium she purrs
cold diatribes
and
yet he misses
erstwhile of her kisses
limestone and lilac tones
chrysanthemum lined bridges
lips touching like our fingertips
blue from cold
yet warmth behold
needles in the park
opioids after dark
now submerged
in the gushing public fountains
now emerged
shoulders bubbling like mountains
eruptions of his heart
mourning now yesterday
those erstwhile of her kisses
dawning now forever
for in his homeless heart
which the medic couldn't start
sprung one last dying thought
odious heroine failing to contort
dribbling whirlpools in the park
under christmas lights after dark
the memory remains
eternal
and he no longer misses
those erstwhile of her kisses
a dwelling for his lips
the homeless kisses!
New Tear's Candle
NEW TEAR'S CANDLE
Now here, now fled, bright light's soon snuffed, clock ticks,
E xistence fragile echoes with life’s play
W here visibility’s trimmed to today.
T ime up, ambitions down, as candle wicks
E xpire upon some midnight cold Fate picks.
A month or more, before horizons grey
R educe tired final flickers cinder gay, -
S pendthrift embers. Moving finger pricks
O ut bubble options, cares nor fiddlesticks
N or tinker’s curses for chance thrown away,
N or seeks reprieve for an extended stay. –
E phemeral our sojourn’s augenblicks.
T he loaf of bread, the flask of wine, boon mate,
S oon wane, recycled wax, evaporate.
1 January 2006 revised 8 September 2007
robi03_1400_robi03_0000 ASX_DEZ
Previous title New Tear's Sonnets
New Tear's Candle poem © Jonathan Robin
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Once Upon a Cold September
Once upon a cold September
lay ashes of last December
came stories of old friends
never to be lost
on that December
Morning came
thoughts rose
time flew on the coast
evening of September
came lies to remember
sad but true they say
never showed a face again
on that stormy winter
Once on a cold September
on a bleak December
with time to remember
poem by Kayla Koch
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Incite Insight
INCITE INSIGHT
Can candlelight melt icy start,
incandescence stem descent,
incite renaissance, shared assent
discovering dream's counterpart?
May heart to heart though far apart
heartache soothe to circumvent
walls beyond walls which represent
apparent obstacles - impart
ardour surpassing Richter chart,
gift elan confident, lament
layers in lairs where hermit spent
temptation torment playing part?
Tenderness twins thoughts to teach
touch formal frontiers may outreach.
10 June 1996 revised 20 November 2008
robi03_0812_robi03_0000 SXX_LXX
for previous version see below
Incite Insight
Can candlelight melt icy start,
incandescence stem descent,
incite renaissance’s assent
discovering true counterpart?
Can heart to heart though far apart
heartache soothe to circumvent
walls beyond walls which present
apparent obstacles, - impart
ardour above the Richter chart,
an elan confident, lament
layers in lairs where hermit spent
temptation torn, tormented heart?
Tenderness thoughts twins to teach
touch through emotions which outreach.
10 June 1996
© Jonathan Robin
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Cruel Winds of Winter
Got up this morning, no sun in my eyes,
The house is so cold, no warmth to the fire,
My love is gone, he took all my desire,
And cruel winds of winter howled all night.
My love could warm me in the coldest time,
Bring the light of day to the darkest night,
As tears of my sorrow fall from my eyes,
The cruel winds of winter cry in delight.
Pull on my coat, keep the chill from my side,
I walk by the sea, the salt stings my eye,
The caps are all gray, like clouds in the sky,
And with those cruel winds of winter, I cry.
As tears of my sorrow fall to the sand,
My love is not here to warn my cold hand,
He’s gone like the sun from this harsh, gray land,
And only the wind seems to understand.
This endless winter has replaced his light,
My sweet love gone, no warmth in my sight,
I drift lost and lonely, no sleep I find,
Still those winds cry with me deep in the night.
My heart so heavy, life has no delight,
And the cruel winds of winter, torment my night.
poem by Teresa Dearing
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Summer Affair
The summer is almost over,
and winter is almost here.
The skies of blue are turning grey,
as the long nights are coming in.
They said our love was only
a summer affair.
After the chill of winter,
no love would be there.
Years have passed
since that summer,
and our love still grows each day.
We’ve had our good and bad times,
and together we have seen them through.
Our love is strong,
and even in our twilight years,
together we will be here.
Our summer affair has lasted,
longer than they thought.
It has brought us happiness,
which few will ever see.
It has brought us contentment
with our children three,
and it has brought everlasting love
for just you and me.
9 March 1996
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Summer Affair
The summer is almost over
and winter is almost here,
the sky of blue is turning grey
as the long nights are coming in.
They said our love
was only a summer affair
and after the chill of winter,
no love will be there.
Our summer affair has lasted
longer than they thought
and it brought happiness
the kind few have ever seen.
It brought us contentment
with our children three
and it brought everlasting love
just for you and me.
Years have passed
since that summer
and our love grows each day.
We’ve had the good and bad times
and together we’ve seen them through.
Our love is strong
and even in our twilight years
together we will be here.
9 March 1996
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Winter's Winsome Weather
Crisp Winter, final season of the year,
Comes suddenly when awesome Autumn's past
The frost makes Winter mornings bright and clear,
But fosters Winter's biting icey blasts.
But Winter's winsomeness is also there,
The snow which hides the scars of furrowed ground,
The frost that sparkles on the hedgerows bare,
The snow that muffles harsh intrusive sound.
Ah! Winter, time of joy and peace and cheer,
Of carols chant and chimes of Christmas Bells,
The promise of 'The love that casts out fear',
The pleasure of sweet spicey Yuletide smells.
Remind us after Winter comes the Spring
When all things bright and beautiful will sing!
(John Knight - September 2009) .
Is Winter your favourite Season? If it is please post a comment saying why. In the UK we have many many parties and presents and holidays celebrating Christmas and New Year, This is to compensate for many cold and drizzly days. Despite Global Warming we stll get some snow in the North and especially Scotland where we have popular Ski Resorts. Winter in the Northern USA and Canada and Scandinavia and Russia is awesome and a great opportunity for Winter Sports and Apre-ski! People whose Birthday is on Christmas Day (DECEMBER 25) are doubly blessed because they are allowed a separate celebration on JUNE 25 in the following year. I have used capital letters for the Seasons in this poem because I think they are worth it. It is no longer de rigeur in the UK. John Knight.
poem by John Knight
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Viewed As Being Cold
Cold?
Everything,
Has a cause and effect!
Like wishes for love that never comes.
One can know love and give it!
But if it is not received as given...
It will be clear a perception,
Loses an anticipated expected reception.
It does not come.
So it no longer remains on hold.
It may be viewed as being cold.
But how close have you been...
To share any warmth?
If you believe
What you conceive is cold?
Perhaps it is deserved...
Since you are the first to recognize it!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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As Time Slips By - Acrostic Sonnet
As time sleeps by love’s tide [s]weeps sluggard, cold,
Slow beats heart's flow, forgets dreams' heats once sought.
Then, fragile, faith wraith cobwebs spins, sins caught
In Time’s equation web. Where once soul bold
Made music wild, filed, passion dims, short-sold.
Existence pales, stales, fails, - loves tales abort -
Sheds goals, gaols aims at joys ‘chance’ might have brought -
Little cares how life’s tale may unfold.
Inspiration wanes, fears stranglehold,
Plaintive soul retreats to shell, distraught,
Second hand experiences, thought,
Buy time, dismiss love from life's centrefold.
Yawning the abyss which, biding time,
shall swallow every line and every rhyme.
© Jonathan Robin – Acrostic Sonnet written 16 September 2001 revised 7 August 2007
_______________
Passed By
As time drifts by Love’s tide flows coward, cold,
Slow beats sad heart, lost far from dreams once sought.
Too little lust, - blades rust, in cobwebs caught -
In time fires dim which once, in times of old,
Moved untamed ecstasy, flame bold.
Existence paled until encounter brought
Potency restored, fresh friendship taught
A focus fresh, let energies unfold.
Some dreams remain, most vain, in stranglehold
Spirit stifled, struggle not as thought
Experience leaves feelings dulled, distraught,
Dismisses soul from life's bright centrefold.
But chance encounter sets in timeless motion
Yen to advance, to share inspired emotion...
© Jonathan Robin – Acrostic Sonnet written 16 April 2005 as a variation of As Time Slips By – see above
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Toy Soldiers Leaden Eyed - Acrostic Mata Hari
TOY SOLDIERS LEADEN EYED
My life foams fast, spurts sudden surge,
Appraise past fancy, sullen urge,
Then see toy soldiers leaden eyed
Attest failed flight, time, grace denied.
Here at my post I’m posted, tied,
And no-one dares to act as guide.
Right, tight, where Hell’s four streams converge:
I stand and wait... serve on lead’s purge!
5 December 1990 revised 10 January 2009
robi03_0360_robi03_0000 AXX_DJZ
For previous version see below
Toy Soldiers Leaden Eyed
My life foamed fast, in sudden surge,
All passing fancies, sullen urge, -
The child’s toy soldiers, leaden eyed,
Attest failed flight which Time defied.
Here at my post I’m posted, tied,
And none now dares to be my guide.
Right, tight, where Hell’s four streams converge:
I wait awhile, .............. how lead does purge!
5 December 1990
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Once Upon A Time
The hours late and the lights are low
Im walking home just kicking stones
I waited at the deopt you never showed
You missed the last bus hours ago
I remember the first time
I saw you on the street
You looked so pretty my heart skipped a beat
I cant wait any longer but I still feel the heat
Im down but Im still on my feet
I walked on down the old fairground
Up from the docks blew a lonely sound
I sat for a while on the cold hard ground
Watched the stars slowly turn as the earth spun around
As the past falls behind up ahead theres a crack
Of light shining bright through the night so black
Like a runaway train rolling down the track
From here theres no turning back
Listen to me baby
Once upon a time
My heart was an ocean
You swam against the tide
The time is past for grieving
My tears have all run dry
Ill leave you with my love
And now I say goodbye
The bottles broke the glasses are cracked
The cards are all dealt and the chips have been stacked
The lamp shades busted and the curtains are torn
The door keeps knocking but theres nobody home
I stood by the road brushed a tear from my eye
Cursed the cars and the rain and the rolling grey sky
I turned around turned my back on that town
And I never looked back again
song performed by by Pogues
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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December Comment
I was born in December,
too cold to remember.
Every year I'm reminded
of being born in December.
Coming from the warmth of my mother
and coming from another
time and place of beauty
where I knew something other
than cold.
I am a lover of warmth and sun
but that's not how I'd begun
my life on this cold place.
And when my blankets were undone
I'd shiver.
Will I leave in December
so I can remember
the cold that welcomed me
on my first December?
I wonder?
poem by Edwina Reizer
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