John Watt Poet Rhyme

Autumn - Constanza

As autumn's equinox draws nigh -
  a turning point, fulcrum of light
  the long, warm days give way to night.
The summer fades, from hot and dry
  to harvest time and cooler days,
  chromatic leaves worthy of praise.
A friend is gone. Her soul on high
  still speaks to us, "Inscribe with words
  poems of flowers, sunsets, birds".
And though we bid a sad goodbye:
  to summer - autumn's beauty comes;
  to friends - their soul's heartbeat still drums.
These thoughts lead to a double sigh:
  a sigh of gloom - her earth path ends;
  a sigh of joy - that we were friends. 

As autumn's equinox draws nigh -
  the summer fades from hot and dry,
  a friend is gone... her soul on high.
  And though we bid a sad goodbye,
  these thoughts lead to a double sigh.

[Constanza]
In memory of Connie Marcum-Wong
Written 18 Sept 2022

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

FJ Thomas January 5, 2023 at 12:51 PM What better tribute to give than with beautiful words in her own beautiful form. She would smile so big :)

Christuraj Alex October 22, 2022 at 5:46 AM " to summer - autumn's beauty comes; to friends - their soul's heartbeat still drums." - Beautiful> All other line too. Congratulations!

Suzanne Delaney October 21, 2022 at 12:52 PM Thank you, John……for taking part in this tribute to Connie with your beautiful Autumn Constanza. You left us with a perfect ending- a sigh of joy - that we were friends. Blessings, SuZ

Panagiota Romios October 11, 2022 at 10:03 AM Lovely writing John! How awesome, yet so true, “ A sigh of joy.. that we we friends!” Panagiota Best wishes in the contest!

Brian Sambourne October 2, 2022 at 12:03 PM Such a fine tribute to Connie. Her presence on poetrysoup is much missed. Autumn, beauty, loss + memory are so well fused in this verse to a wonderful poet. Best wishes, Brian

Andrea Dietrich September 25, 2022 at 8:47 PM Your constanza is amazing, John. I have read so many impressive tributes with her form. I bet she is looking down so pleased on them all.

Joseph May September 23, 2022 at 3:32 AM "A friend is gone. Her soul on high still speaks to us, "Inscribe with words" Such a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to Connie John Watt September 26, 2022 at 1:29 PM Thank you for the visit and kind words, Joseph

Valsa George September 22, 2022 at 7:06 PM "These thoughts lead to a double sigh: a sigh of gloom - her earth path ends; a sigh of joy - that we were friends". Hi John, you have paid the most beautiful tribute to Connie and at the same time retaining the spirit of autumn and the waning of summer's heat. A lovely poem creating waves of pain and joy alike in the readers' mind. John Watt September 26, 2022 at 1:28 PM Thank you dear friend for your lovely comment. Yes, so much of this life we experience is a mingling of joy and pain. Blessings, John

Bill Baker September 22, 2022 at 4:21 PM Thank you, John for entering this contest. It honors a dear friend and meaningful poetess, Connie. Using her form of poetry is a reminder of the meaningful part her played here at PoetrySoup. A wonderful writer, a thoughtful commenter, and a dear friend to many. She was always an encourager and wrote many uplifting and inspiring poems. I miss her so much already, but I'm happy she with her loved one once more. This will be one hard contest to judge, all those that enter are winners. Bill John Watt September 23, 2022 at 11:07 AM You're so right my friend, Connie was a dear friend, a meaningful poetess, and always an encourager. She deserves to be remembered for a long time. Thank you for your generous comment ~ John

Michelle Faulkner September 21, 2022 at 8:56 PM Like so many others, I am so saddened to learn of Connie's passing, this is so moving and wonderfully written, especially love 'chromatic leaves worthy of praise' and the coming of autumn's beauty amid the sadness of summer's goodbye, I'm sure she would have loved it~ John Watt September 22, 2022 at 11:06 AM Yes, I'm still not over the sadness, Michelle. It helps somehow knowing you're not alone in the grieving, and the blogs and contest and tribute poems are contributing to a deeper sense of community bonding over her loss. Thank you for your lovely comment, much appreciated as always ~ John

Andrea Dietrich September 21, 2022 at 6:43 PM Awesome, John. You wove autumn and constanza into a true tribute about Connie. I did mine similarly that way. Just did not post it yet. I love yours. John Watt September 22, 2022 at 11:04 AM Thanks for the sweet comment, Andrea. I'm looking forward to reading what you have written in Connie's memory.

Jenna Logan September 21, 2022 at 8:03 AM John, your lines are all so lovely, but the ones of sighing touched me quite deeply and emotionally. Connie was never harsh in writing of others, and she befriended everyone. A positive force on the site, she is terribly missed. John Watt September 21, 2022 at 5:18 PM Jenna, what you have shared here about Connie I feel as well. She has exemplified so much of what I aspire to. Thank you for pointing out the particulars which touched your emotions. That means a lot to me ~ John

Gary Radice September 21, 2022 at 5:21 AM That's a really heartfelt tribute using Connie's form John. It's one thing to get the rhyme sequence correct but another to express yourself and ensure that the message you wish to convey doesn't get lost or 'shoehorned' into the said form so it becomes lost. Your poem reads beautifully. Cheers - Gary John Watt September 21, 2022 at 4:44 PM Gary, I am grateful for your kind regard. I admit to falling prey to the shoehorn syndrome from time... you try to resolve one problem area and end up creating a different problem. All part of the joys of writing. I'm honored that in my small way I can help others remember Connie. Cheers ~ John

Susan Lawrence September 20, 2022 at 8:05 AM John, Such a moving tribute to our dear Connie. She rides on wings of angels now surrounded with the love of her friends. She has joined her husband and son. We are all blessed to have experienced her warmth. Hugs and blessings to you, Susan :) John Watt September 20, 2022 at 10:31 AM Susan, thank you for these lovely thoughts regarding Connie's present joy. It comforts me to think of her no longer suffering physically or emotionally. You're so right, her warmth was a blessing. Blessings and hugs back atcha ~ John

Mystic Rose Rose September 20, 2022 at 2:50 AM what a lovely tribute John, this is not an easy form to do and you made it flow so smoothly, Connie is probably smiling from heaven, Love and prayers for your good health :) John Watt September 20, 2022 at 10:25 AM Rose, thank you for your visit and love and prayers. Connie wrote often about heaven and I am comforted by the thought of her smiling, after all she has been through. Blessings to you ~ John

Beryl Edmonds September 19, 2022 at 4:19 PM This is a wonderful tribute to Connie John, every word is simply beautiful… Belle John Watt September 20, 2022 at 10:18 AM Thank you Belle. It's been a hard week just accepting that she is gone, but so many of her friends have been able to mourn together here and try to help one another focus on the positive. Thank you for you kind visit ~ John

Michael Tor September 19, 2022 at 10:32 AM John just saw this remembrance Tribute to Connie in her Costanza form. Another priceless gift you have honored Connie with, in memory of her. Wonderful words that are Dear to our hearts. Your entry is a favorite for me John. Connie's spirit lives on in your gracious words my friend. Be blessed for your effort... John Watt September 20, 2022 at 10:23 AM Michael, we've had a rare opportunity this week to see a community rise up and not only grieve together, but to share memories of Connie, re-read her words, and encourage each other with comments. Thank you for all you have done to keep her memory alive. Your comments have been very touching ~ John

Tom Cunningham September 18, 2022 at 11:58 PM Connie would have loved this John, I came across comments she had made to me, still cant believe that she's gone. She had a very warm personality and was friends with everyone. Enjoy your week ahead. Tom John Watt September 20, 2022 at 10:15 AM Tom, thank you for saying Connie would have loved this. Her Constanza is a lovely poetry form that opens up many avenues of expression. I appreciate your sharing thoughts about Connie here and many other places this week. I was always so grateful to receive her warm comments John

Julie Rodeheaver September 18, 2022 at 11:27 PM Beautiful tribute to Connie. Autumn is a very beautiful time of year. :) John Watt September 19, 2022 at 7:00 PM Thank you Julie. I agree about the beauty of autumn. I appreciate you coming by ~ John