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The Edge of the Cliff

Intensive spring, her season of flower, Full vigorous essence, beauty's wonder, Horizon of womanhood - her power Intimidated me, mind asunder. Her lips so soft but pressing pleasant there, No way could I repay her art's measure, Such opened passion - more than I could bear, No full reply had I to this treasure. She sensed my frailty in the interplay, All then was lost, the moment cast aside, Time could not hold the pace, she fell away, So go then, little boy, you run and hide. Now decades later, I can only sigh, Best day of my life, ready not was I. December 9, 2016 For Sara Kendrick's contest - 'Three Choices Plus Two Which Equals Five Or I Haven't Got a Clue' (Pandora's Box version).

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Lynn Marie

Date: 4/7/2017 10:57:00 PM

A wonderful sonnet Doug. oh the folly of youth... yet if one tiny thing were different, we wouldn't be where we are right now. it seems lessons learned the hard way, prepare us the most for the love we are meant to have today.:) Terrific reflection penned with heart. a fave, 7+ lynnxx

Doug Vinson
Date: 4/8/2017 10:15:00 AM

Cheers, Lynn, I appreciate that. : ) Yes, at any point along the way, our path can change. So, if one always has to learn the hard way, does that mean one is not meant for love?

Sara Kendrick

Date: 12/22/2016 10:22:00 AM

Your choice from the five choices is an excellent one in my book..I was so delighted to read your poem..Thanks for the entry in my contest your participation was encouraging and uplifting to me..Congrats on your placement..Sara

Doug Vinson
Date: 12/23/2016 1:34:00 PM

Thank you, Sara!

Darren White

Date: 12/19/2016 2:05:00 AM

I love sonnets, wish I could write better ones in English though. Anyways: Very spring for you, I'd say you barely left winter! You saw those flowers, but boy, how to pick 'em? Hindsight knowledge eh? Always a nuisance :) Congratulations.

Doug Vinson
Date: 12/23/2016 1:33:00 PM

Thanks, Darren. Hindsight - I absolutely cringe when I think about how I've acted, many times, in the past. Not just when I was really young, either. It's part of living, I guess.

John Beam

Date: 12/9/2016 7:13:00 PM

Great write Doug. We can never go back and if a may, Poetatize your titles like standing on the precipice. I need a favor, would you critic my poem Confessions of? I cant even get a comment, so far. Thanks again

Doug Vinson
Date: 12/10/2016 6:14:00 PM

Done.

Doug Vinson
Date: 12/10/2016 4:09:00 PM

Heck yes, John, certainly!

Christina Baughman

Date: 12/9/2016 2:34:00 PM

This reminds me of "old time" poetry read in school. "Time could not hold the pace, she fell away," very nice line. The teacher would have us analyze it, talk about it. I'd say it's the girl pulling back from the boy's unreadiness; though the "she" could also refer to time itself - the scene starts and moves with tick-by-tick meter as realization dawns on both people. Then the moment really is done. Life goes on but the door has been slammed shut on this page with a sad finality.

Doug Vinson
Date: 12/9/2016 3:02:00 PM

A+ Christina. ( :: laughing :: --I love this stuff.) I wondered about the third stanza, as to really change things in that one is more of the Italian way, as with Petrarchan sonnets, while the Shakespearean (English) variety usually waits until the last two lines. To the head of the class with ye!

Robert Lindley

Date: 12/9/2016 2:24:00 PM

An impressive sonnet my friend. In youth cliffs are made to be scaled and even fallen from, especially where matters of young love are concerned. I've myself blundered away many great relationships when young and so foolish.. I loved everything about this fine sonnet..

Doug Vinson
Date: 12/9/2016 2:49:00 PM

Thanks, Robert. I too have lost loves, a very few of which I really regret. Yet, looking back, I would not change anything. I didn't get married until I was 41 years old, and I cannot comprehend things working out better than they did. Still, I do wonder about her and her and....

Tim Smith

Date: 12/9/2016 1:32:00 PM

Terrific Sonnet Doug...blew me away

Doug Vinson
Date: 12/9/2016 1:57:00 PM

Ahoy, Tim. I'm glad you read it. The whole "young love" thing - wow, so powerful, but ugh - some of the memories of things which mostly boil down to fear of rejection.

Heidi Sands

Date: 12/9/2016 12:43:00 PM

Wow this really shows a lot and the impact it has to last. Well done. Good luck in the contest. :)

Doug Vinson
Date: 12/9/2016 1:55:00 PM

Cheers, Heidi. Thank you.

Nette Onclaud

Date: 12/9/2016 12:36:00 PM

beautifully penned with a poetic language pf a season's moment that stays on my mind, doug... salute!..huggs

Doug Vinson
Date: 12/9/2016 1:54:00 PM

Maraming salamat, Nette. : ) Well, if I didn't mess that up, then it's a good day.

White Wolf

Date: 12/9/2016 12:30:00 PM

Very impressive, Doug, sonnets are my favourite form ATM! And this does it justice to boot! Good luck mate!

Doug Vinson
Date: 12/9/2016 1:49:00 PM

Thanks, Rick. I appreciate the energy you are putting into it, currently. : )

Chris Green

Date: 12/9/2016 12:28:00 PM

I hate when that happens. Nicely done rhyme scheme and storyline in this one Doug. It was so well rhymed they were almost invisible. The ending lines were perfection. Good luck in the contest

Doug Vinson
Date: 12/9/2016 1:48:00 PM

Gracias, compadre. While not an actual, true-life episode, it is representative of my years as a teenager and until roughly 22. Did pretty well after that.