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RSWells
Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533


0 posted 2003-03-12 02:49 PM



     
.
.
(Let us call this a double sonnet acrostic)
.
.
.
Where winter's ragged comb courses my crown
Its subtle brush applies the mortal truth,
Life's lived through time and time will life confound
Leased long enough to rue a wasted youth,
I'll see soon fifty Autumns on this lease,
Am wise enough to fathom that it wanes,
Mayst day allot an ample light ere cease
Sufficient hours that modest words make plain
How in the finite space that breath bestow'st
A man had come to rise above the clay
Keen he that twilight bide when he's made ghost
Elude dark night until his scribed essay,
Sun's chariot your golden pilgrimage,
Pray tarry for a life too soon abridged.
Enobled he once known as Avon's Bard
Addressed fair youth in his first score of sonnets;
Release thine seed and thwart time's brisk boneyard,
Endure beyond life's curse, death's mark upon it,
Will couldn't know his tree by time decreased,
How paper, words are his posterity,
I'm cheered to find this beauty in death's beast,
Such light at dusk a gift of clarity,
Perchance the warmth thus found in Autumn's fire
Emits just flame enough to stay death's chill,
Redeems a life misspent too oft' in ire,
In such twilight yet burns a nova's quill,
Night need not be mere shadow masking fear,
Graves cannot snuff such light, our words, Shakespeare.

.
.
.
.
.
.
Photo Will and I.
This was inspired by many things. Shakespeare who died in 1616, has no traceable genealogy beyond 1674 (a shame). Of course his words will live forever. The first grouping of his sonnets implore a young man he was fond of to procreate and thus cheat death in one of only two ways one can, providence or the creation of something lasting (as in art).
I'm fortunate in that having submitted blood for a very ambitious DNA study over a year ago it has since been proven that I'm a descendant of William Wells who came to North America in 1635 aboard the ship True Love (you know I gotta love it) settling at Southold, Long Island.
I doubt I'm alone in my determined endeavor to attempt to leave something behind that I may be fortunate enough to cheat death in more ways than one.
"O Death, where is thy sting?
   Thy victory, O Grave?"
                    -Sir Ronald Ross


"Nils Desperandum" Wells Family Motto

© Copyright 2003 Richard S. Wells jr. - All Rights Reserved
Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

1 posted 2003-03-12 03:00 PM


Perchance the warmth thus found in Autumn's fire
Emits just flame enough to stay death's chill,
Redeems a life misspent too oft' in ire,
In such twilight yet burns a nova's quill,
Night need not be mere shadow masking fear,
Graves cannot snuff such light, our words, Shakespeare.

Again, your words amaze me Richard.  It is so very good to see your words again, they have been greatly missed!  This has my vote!!

I must have had my momma's will
and Gods Amazing Grace...

I'm a survivor....
(Reba)

regards2you
Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940
California
2 posted 2003-03-12 07:09 PM




From, the title through the poem to the final personal message, enjoyed every word of it. I still feel guilty not paying to read your work. How blessed we are that you share it here.

Thank you, Pat


..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons..
        "Desiderata"

Cpat Hair
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793

3 posted 2003-03-12 07:11 PM


Keen he that twilight bide when he's made ghost
Elude dark night until his scribed essay,


I enjoyed RS...as usual... but these two lines struck me for some reason....

very well done sir..

[This message has been edited by Cpat Hair (03-12-2003 07:18 PM).]

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
4 posted 2003-03-12 07:14 PM



Shall we say,
blood outs?  
BOOK!!!!

If I whisper, will you listen?...

littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
5 posted 2003-03-12 07:54 PM


Richard - Shakespeare breathes within me - you have captured him nicely here for us - excellent writing - just amazing xxoo
Connel
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 2002-11-04
Posts 736
Florida, USA
6 posted 2003-03-12 09:16 PM


Great poem. And I loved the pic.

Read ^ there, because you are reading the wrong part!

RSWells
Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533

7 posted 2003-03-12 09:34 PM


Thank you kindly all. I'd say 90% of what I've written I would retract. This and a handful of others I wouldn't run from.
Martie
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
8 posted 2003-03-12 10:52 PM


Richard...I have been back several times to read this, each time amazed at the depth and intelligent place from which you write.  You are a fine writer.  
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
9 posted 2003-03-12 11:00 PM


What a remarkable talent you are sir!
Thank you for sharing this treasure.
Loved the photo and accompanying words after the acrostic.
~Smiles & Hugs, Nancy~

~ Trace my body with your words..
And in doing so, you touch my heart. ~

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
10 posted 2003-03-12 11:31 PM


In such twilight yet burns a nova's quill,
Night need not be mere shadow masking fear,
Graves cannot snuff such light, our words, Shakespeare


**
I loved your poem Richard. I visited his home..saw the bed he was born in, slept in and visited the church where he is buried and it was a moving experience. I'd like to think we are all descendents of the Bard..I'm afraid though, that with this poem YOU are closer to being on his family tree than I.

Mistletoe Angel
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since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
11 posted 2003-03-12 11:41 PM




(smiles) The answer, my friend, is if when you look at the daffodils if you begin to see them peer and watch the daisies pied! (big hugggsssssss) This is incredible, sweet friend, I love this, though I'm not related to him, I am the cousin of Sheryl Crow and I admire her songs, may your poetry always be compared to a morning in May, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Richard, thank you for sharing!



May love and light alwyas shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

Mysteria
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since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
12 posted 2003-03-13 02:41 AM


I'll see soon fifty Autumns on this lease,
Am wise enough to fathom that it wanes,
Mayst day allot an ample light ere cease
Sufficient hours that modest words make plain
How in the finite space that breath bestow'st
A man had come to rise above the clay
Keen he that twilight bide when he's made ghost
Elude dark night until his scribed essay,

Well I must say I am really impressed - this was an excellent piece of poetry, and a fabulous acrostic.

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
13 posted 2003-03-13 04:31 AM


just awesome! great stuff!
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

14 posted 2003-03-13 04:55 AM


I love this....and sit here admiring...

and I admit, I find a crostic simple enough, BUT? to get the meter, and the language down to an "natural ear" ...this is just,

how do you say? mmmmmph. grin. I vote.

GG
Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought
15 posted 2003-03-13 05:32 AM


I don't know how many times I've read this... I know its been alot. And I think all I can come up with is and my vote. This is good!
Always, Alyssa

- And so it was that time stood still -
     (blink, breathe, stand, fight)

Sandpiper
Senior Member
since 2002-06-15
Posts 738
land of flora and fauna
16 posted 2003-03-13 08:20 AM


I've no doubt Sir William is smiling--you know, you are amazing--an awesome write!!

"And it was at that age...Poetry arrived in search of me...And something started in my soul."
Pablo Neruda

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549
By the Seaside
17 posted 2003-03-14 04:27 PM


You have done him justice, so much so that his poetic genius rises again through your written words.  

Wonderfully done, and I loved the picture too.

WhiteRose
Member Elite
since 2002-07-23
Posts 3208
somebody's dungeon
18 posted 2003-03-16 09:06 PM


Wow, a wonderful side effect of this book is the absolutely incredible poetry that is being written. This is a splendid piece.
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

19 posted 2003-03-16 11:45 PM


Endure beyond life's curse, death's mark upon it,
Will couldn't know his tree by time decreased,
How paper, words are his posterity,
I'm cheered to find this beauty in death's beast,
Such light at dusk a gift of clarity,
Perchance the warmth thus found in Autumn's fire
Emits just flame enough to stay death's chill,
Redeems a life misspent too oft' in ire,
In such twilight yet burns a nova's quill,
Night need not be mere shadow masking fear,
Graves cannot snuff such light, our words, Shakespeare.

==============================


the moth is just smiling, smiling, smiling..
and voting voting voting....

Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

20 posted 2003-03-16 11:48 PM


quote:
(Let us call this a double sonnet acrostic)

in addition to...impressive, awesome, inspiring, outstanding, excellent, eloquent.........and very very cool.

love the pic....superb poetry, poet Richard sir.

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