Notes About The Poem

Part 1 of my attempt at a Heroic Crown of Sonnets form.

Life's Fading Light-Part 1-Heroic Crown of Sonnets

Youth

When orchids bloom in beauty life's aglow
to hold emotions locked in deep repose
in young desire and love warm thoughts will show.
Affection holds its ardor as it grows
to burn inside young hearts in evening tide.
In darkest night the heat will burn and rise
till naked, love's sweet flower blooms inside
and once again my love the past implies.
I'm not the dreaming soul you think you've known,
this willing need that cannot be denied,
is naught if not in love my feeling's grown,
as sad, the winds of change cast hearts aside.
     
     Is not the pain of youth our last great stand
          as time, with heavy brow, is nature planned?


Time

As time, with heavy brow, is nature planned,
to start the quest the instant life began.
It ticks each moment past with second hand
through infant life, to youth, and then to man.
The years go by as sequenced seasons pass
and miss each gentle touch of mothers breast.
As hair of grey like waves of grain amass,
we enter life's most cruel and crucial test.
How quick the mind in once unfettered thought
is now but clouds of muddled pother dust,
and as the time moves deep in minds hard fought,
the turning wheels soon slow to so much rust.

     No thought for life and love can further grow.
          Too soon the beating heart begins to slow.

Passion

Too soon the beating heart begins to slow
as passion spent prepares to take its toll,
and shooting stars burn down to subtle glow,
the mind's illusions dream of heart and soul.
Yet warmth and need can still ignite the flame
if sparks in coals of burning love remain.
Though slow the beats count down each ardent frame
our need for touch and fervor we retain.
For what is good without loves sweet caress
on lonely night or stormy sullen day,
to tightly hold each moment we possess
and guard the heart from anger and dismay.

     The light of heaven's long goodbye's unplanned
          when passion's ember burns the gentle hand.

Love

When passion's ember burns the gentle hand,
so, too, pure hearts can suffer in loves pain,
but lessons taught, no matter how well planned
can lead us down this broken path again.
Emotions find the cracks in crystal yen
then ebb and flow in watered essence's glow,
and grow the seeds of doubt to wonder when
through chinks in life's burst dam our love will flow.
But fill each crack with heart's warm trust and truth
and once again love's flower starts to bloom
like soft bright petals only found in youth,
we feel the sun burn past our time of gloom.

     Through life the warmth of pain awaits each day
          with flames of love that flicker old and grey.

Age

With flames of love that flicker old and grey
the hope of life's sweet nectar I once gave.
With you in pleasured touch we both would lay
and from my lonely heart my life you'd save.
As time moves on, though wisps of shadows fade,
like honey to the bees love yet tastes sweet
but tender touches lost in dark of shade
remain recalled reflections of conceit.
Let not the scourge of time erase the stain
of need for heated pleasure so ingrained
and loves mosaic tender heart's refrain
then end to end our love we'll share unchained.
     
     As brown the leaves float free from trees unmasked.
          but moments gone, as youth filled questions asked.

Sorrow

But moments gone, as youth filled questions asked,
no more of young loves wonder we request,
for in our soul the answers are unmasked
when stars align to find the lover's quest.
In length of day, like shadows, darkness grows
engulfing heaven's promise lost in fear,
and clasp strong hands of those we hold so close
from moistened cheeks we wipe a lonely tear.
No soft and tender touch upon the brow
when, tick, the clock calls out the lonesome hour,
can change the path of fate we follow now,
when life's sweet taste turns bitter, tart and sour.

     As we in fervid dusk filled evening lay
          the feelings lost to seasons never stay.

Feelings

The feelings lost to seasons never stay
and life  grows cold as little sand remains.
But, o'er the heart the mind has little sway
when strong emotions bleed through burning veins.
Does anger, love or hate in time still lie,
awaiting passion's burning deep inside,
or ease in mellowed thoughts as days go by
to tarry in the place where senses hide?
The smile upon my face may turn in joy
though deep inside my heart my feelings burn
as eddies swirling lost in loves sad ploy
awaiting their frenetic fierce return.

     Like comet's tail our hearts burn bright and fast
          for in the end it's just one soul that's passed.


04/19/16
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Watt Avatar
June 12, 2020 at 12:46 AM
James, brilliant. See my less reserved comment after part 2 ~ John
Gauthier Avatar
April 21, 2020 at 9:34 AM
OMG this is quite the feat, James. "Heroic" indeed. A classic. A masterpiece.
Inman Avatar
April 21, 2020 at 12:10 PM
I was not sure whether to include this one or not because it was posted in two parts but both parts make up one poem, so I did. This is likely the most technical poem I have written. It was probably the most difficult poem to write, as well. I had to complete several re-writes of up to five stanzas and almost gave up. All sonnets are written as English (Shakespearean) sonnets with iambic pentameter and appropriate rhyme scheme, as well as, repeating lines culminating in sonnet 15.
Gragg Avatar
May 6, 2019 at 2:57 PM
Such skill in painting word portraits in classic sonnet form. You are to be commended as few could have done so in such magnificent style.
Inman Avatar
May 6, 2019 at 4:52 PM
A very kind comment Charles, thank you. A long write but looking back it was worth it. Thank you again.
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
June 11, 2016 at 2:59 AM
Love it , you must give me lessons in iamb this just flows a smashing read thanks xx
Inman Avatar
June 11, 2016 at 8:54 AM
Thank you so much Mandy, any time.
Bordner Avatar
June 11, 2016 at 1:22 AM
Classic poetic language herein James, you are a troubadour...Pother is a xool word..."emotions find the cracks in crystal yen...We feel the sun burn past our time of gloom." You express the depths of love powerfully Poet...J.A.B.
Inman Avatar
June 11, 2016 at 8:52 AM
Thanks Justin, I like that word too, it reminds me of Winnie the Pooh, "Oh, bother!"
Arnone Avatar
June 10, 2016 at 2:32 PM
Time and patience is needed to appreciate your sonnets, they shouldn't be rushed through. Love your titles. Reminds me of Monty Python's narration in, "The Meaning of Life." Beautifully crafted. I get the baBOOM / baBOOM / baBOOM / baBOOM / baBOOM, five pair (unstressed/stressed) syllables -- a rule I took no notice of when composing my own belated non-entry.
Inman Avatar
June 11, 2016 at 8:48 AM
Thanks for taking the time to read it Tom. Would not have thought to equate the sonnet titles to "The Meaning of Life" ( a movie I love), so I'll have to go back and watch it again. I just finished reading your fascinating tale.
Pennell  Avatar
June 10, 2016 at 10:13 AM
massive well done, the mount Everest of poetry conquered.
Inman Avatar
June 10, 2016 at 12:23 PM
Stephen, it almost felt that way when I was writing it, lol, thanks for the nice comment.
Parker Avatar
June 10, 2016 at 10:12 AM
Congratulations James, Craig nailed it, your sonnets are an inspiration to meter..well done..I know how much work was put in
Inman Avatar
June 10, 2016 at 12:21 PM
Thank you Frederic.
Dietrich Avatar
June 9, 2016 at 7:14 PM
ps. my health share plan came through on the coverage. one hurdle done!!
Dietrich Avatar
June 9, 2016 at 7:14 PM
I was wanting to enter this one on my vacation time in late June. You did so superbly, Ralph. I find it hard to focus on these long ones (one reason I was not so eager to try it) But I was reading through your lines and noticed Craig was SO right when he said that your meter is exellent. It truly is. That is marvelous to see when so many folks here are writing sonnets and calling them iambic pentameter when they really are not. BIG congrats for your amazing win.
Inman Avatar
June 10, 2016 at 12:21 PM
I was looking to read one by you Andrea. Thanks for the great comment.
Teagan Avatar
June 9, 2016 at 2:54 PM
James these sonnets are so beautiful. I'm really in awe.
Teagan Avatar
June 9, 2016 at 4:20 PM
I have not read many, only a few... but I'll read them over time. I tried to write one of my own but gave up. Maybe I'll finish it someday.
Inman Avatar
June 9, 2016 at 3:11 PM
Thank you Becca, a very long and arduous write that was revised several times because of mistakes. Thanks for taking the time to read them. I've read several but I haven't had time to get to all of them.
La France Avatar
May 2, 2016 at 5:25 PM
James, wow these sonnets are amazing, you did it !!! Winner to me, now off to part 2 , oh 7 +++ ~
Inman Avatar
May 2, 2016 at 5:41 PM
A very difficult write BW. I revised it so many times I lost count. It's worth it if you enjoyed it. How is yours coming along.
Onclaud Avatar
April 19, 2016 at 4:12 PM
what an ambitious, majestic crown of sonnet that delivers in fluency, content, and imagery, james... i go wow!... a keeper!..huggs
Inman Avatar
April 19, 2016 at 7:13 PM
Thank you Nette, more to come.
Parker Avatar
April 19, 2016 at 1:37 PM
It's more than an attempt my poetic friend,welcome to the club of those who took the time to attempt this contest..
Inman Avatar
April 19, 2016 at 3:22 PM
Thank you Frederic. I've changed it 4 times. The last change I used your impressive write as a reference.
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