A World Without You

The hands of June will soon scoop up this earth. 
Her palms will gently cup sunlight and rain.
The wind, her fertile breath, will warm the eves,     
yet here I’ll wake to feel her blush in vain.

Without my love, each star-filled night turns black.
At dawn, the sunlight breaks to blind my path.
My ashen heart will char as summer flames,
and flowing blood will parch in aftermath.          

I ‘ve often heard of death by broken heart.
It seems that winter’s chill could hasten this, 
but this oppressive heat has fueled my pain.
A frozen heart turned numb might feel like bliss. 

The summer sun has slouched, the moon has gone,
but somehow through my grief, I carry on.



Written 5/29/20 for JCB Burl’s 
A World Without You Contest

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020



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Date: 10/14/2020 9:48:00 AM
I like ALL the lines in this poem Such imagery and emotion. Hugs, Panagiota xx
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Date: 6/2/2020 8:50:00 PM
My friend, I do so truly and deeply agree with Lawrence- the first line - the first stanza sets the stage for a very powerful piece! And you delivered that so magnificently. Definitely a great fav for me... God bess..
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 6/2/2020 9:15:00 PM
Thank you, Robert!
Date: 6/2/2020 2:20:00 PM
Congratulations on your win! This is such a beautiful piece, with underlying sadness portrayed with heartfelt emotions.
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 6/2/2020 8:45:00 PM
Thank you for your kind words and lovely visit, Mala. xx Rhonda
Date: 6/2/2020 9:02:00 AM
The opening line is so magnetic, and every line that follows keeps the reader right there. Really good stuff.
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 6/2/2020 8:44:00 PM
Thank you, Lawrence, I'm glad you enjoyed it. xx Rhonda
Date: 6/1/2020 5:29:00 PM
Yes, nothing is quite the same without love...good one
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 6/2/2020 12:05:00 AM
Thank you, Arturo! xx Rhonda
Date: 6/1/2020 3:10:00 PM
You use such beautiful metaphors for the anxiety of life and in a sonnet! This is an outstanding and heartfelt write Rhonda. Congratulations on your win :)
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 6/2/2020 12:04:00 AM
Thank you, Aditi...you are a kind soul, and I appreciate your visits! xx Rhonda
Date: 6/1/2020 1:39:00 PM
Congratulations on your win. A beautiful write. Enjoy your win and day...........
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 6/2/2020 12:01:00 AM
Thank you, Paula...very sweet of you! xx Rhonda
Date: 6/1/2020 1:07:00 PM
A so lofty work of Art, substance and form! Your very wonderful words suggest and impress! Without such fine and great poetry the world turns dull! So captivated by your inspiring poetry, dear Rhonda! And so pleased to read! My deepest regards and blessings.
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 6/2/2020 12:00:00 AM
Thank you, Besma! Your comments are very kind and uplifting, and you are a positive, encouraging light here on PS. Blessings to you, xx Rhonda
Date: 5/31/2020 3:28:00 PM
The pain never ends...We just learn to live with it.. A sad sonnet written so well..
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 5/31/2020 9:44:00 PM
Thank you, S.O.! xx Rhonda
Date: 5/31/2020 12:01:00 PM
Absolutely beautiful Rhonda. So much emotion in these lines. So much feeling. This is a winner for sure. God Bless and thanks for visiting my page. Stay well, JB
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 5/31/2020 9:43:00 PM
Thank you, Judy, for the kind words and visit! xx Rhonda
Date: 5/31/2020 11:54:00 AM
Congratulations on your win, Rhonda, I like the line , Without my love, each star-filled night turns black. . Hugs Eve
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 5/31/2020 9:43:00 PM
Thank you, Eve! I'm happy you liked it...xx Rhonda
Date: 5/31/2020 8:01:00 AM
A yearning for love heart, a poet becomes overnight! Superb Sonnet dearest, Rhoda! Take care, my friend!
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 5/31/2020 9:42:00 PM
Thank you, my friend! You as well.
Date: 5/31/2020 6:25:00 AM
Your words brilliantly capture the saddened world--a superb write, Rhonda.
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 5/31/2020 9:41:00 PM
Thank you, Vijay!
Date: 5/30/2020 5:28:00 PM
"My ashen heart will char as summer flames" captures the aching heart so well in the absence of one's love. I enjoyed your sonnet very much Rhonda, with its imagery and contrasts. I wish you well in the contest ~ John
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 5/30/2020 8:37:00 PM
Thank you, John, for your kind words and visit! Enjoy your weekend, xx Rhonda
Date: 5/30/2020 4:01:00 PM
What a beautiful sonnet, beautifully written although of somber note, leaves me satisfied, loved this. You should write for my summers love sonnet you write them so well Rhonda!
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 5/30/2020 8:35:00 PM
Thank you for the visit, John! Your words are always so kind. I did try writing today for your contest, but my muse seem to have left me. I'm hoping for a better day tomorrow! Blessings, Rhonda
Date: 5/30/2020 2:25:00 PM
this is a really nice poem, written about sadness but one that shows a strong soul handling loss...
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 5/30/2020 8:32:00 PM
Thank you for your kind words, Frederic. It's nice of you to visit. I hope you are well and having a blessed weekend, Rhonda
Date: 5/30/2020 10:44:00 AM
Rhonda, quite a difficult world without the loved one. Best. Mohan
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 5/30/2020 8:30:00 PM
Thank you for the visit, Mohan! Blessings, Rhonda
Date: 5/30/2020 8:41:00 AM
I enjoyed this very emotive sonnet, Rhonda, best of luck in the contest. Hugs, John
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 5/30/2020 8:29:00 PM
Thank you, John! I'm happy you enjoyed it...blessings, Rhonda
Date: 5/30/2020 7:05:00 AM
Such a beautiful piece Rhonda, lovely rhyme and flow too. Always so good to read your marvellous pen. He you're having a lovely weekend, Blessings always,Gordon
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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 5/30/2020 8:22:00 PM
Thank you, Gordon. You are most kind! My weekend has been quiet so far. I hope you are enjoying yours. I tried to write some this afternoon, but my muse seems to have run away. I hope she comes back tomorrow! Blessings, xx Rhonda
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