Notes About The Poem

Part 2 of my attempt at a Heroic Crown of Sonnets form.

Life's Fading Light-Part 2-Heroic Crown of Sonnets

Alone

For in the end it's just one soul that's passed.
Alone I'll lie in sod of greenest grass
to answer for the sins that I've amassed
at gates of gold I'll see if I may pass.
In to this world I entered all alone
in cold and dark and dank so old I grow,
on thoughts of younger days I p and moan
with little hope of changing what I know.
But, now as time reflects upon my skin,
the lines of life grow deep upon my face.
I feel the fear of darkness closing in
and of my soul it leaves but little trace.

     So lay my corpse upon this bier stone cold.
          The end of life so often is foretold.

Faith

The end of life so often is foretold
from storms of pained emotions we retreat.
When colors fade to black as we grow old
we search for gold from rainbows we can cheat.
Through lonely thoughts of our demise we trod,
yet try, we still, to save our lives from dust
With souls we've fore to sold we offer God
if but in his creation he would trust.
In promise lost we bide our time, we cope,
for what remains beyond our short lived lives.
The heaven of our father's faith's our hope,
inside of us is where this hope yet thrives.

     Is our eternal faith enough to know,
          when cold the winds of fate speak soft and low?

Moments

When cold the winds of fate speak soft and low
I hear its voice sing smooth in morning dew
and all of life on wings aloft will go
and fly on breeze of gentle pastel hue.
So sweet the taste of life will linger on
with rainbow flavors left upon the tongue,
like cream filled candy, but too soon it's gone
dissolved like so much piles of beetles' dung,
I know that life is precious as fine gems
reflecting each new moment that we live
with flowers' petals sweet upon their stems
our time in life is all we have to give.

     As years in life pass slow like buds in cold
          in warmth and light the blooms of time unfold.

Lies

In warmth and light the blooms of time unfold
to search through lost emotions is our goal.
In hope that we shall keep from growing old
we capture fading thoughts to keep us whole,
but when the final sunset has gone dark
the memories we cherished are all lost
and only ghostly photos leave the mark
of lives that pass like melting winter frost.
I can not bear the thought of you alone
when life has passed for me and I am gone.
What good of all the sweetness you have known
if lonely night awakes to lonely dawn.

     Forever lies I've promised, you will see,
          as petals fall, my life will cease to be.

Doubts

As petals fall my life will cease to be,
yet time goes on without a moment lost
and still the winds of fate breathe blustery
without remark or care or pennies cost.
What worth am I but in your care and love
or have I lived my life in selfish need.
I've tried so hard, for you, to rise above
but in your eyes do you just see my greed.
For am I who you wanted me to be,
the perfect man to share my life with you,
or did you wish for me to just be me
and give you love and promise to be true?

     When end is near I know in you I'll dwell
          in whispered songs of love my heart will quell.

Life

In whispered songs of love my heart will quell
so soft it beats when broken scars are healed
yet pain of loss for you I can't dispel
when left to dream of all that you've revealed.
The secret  words of love that you have told
in moments sweet and pleasured touch exposed
to me are bits of life for me to hold
when fantasies of you have been reposed.
Now laid to rest inside my very soul,
I've loved you strong and deep for oh so long
for in my life you've played a leading roll.
Without you dear this life would be but wrong.

     Though many words as yet I wish to tell
          with tender tears to you, I say farewell.

Death

With tender tears to you, I say farewell,
my sweet, my life, my love, my need, my soul.
From you the one for whom my heart once fell,
this world of pain will now exact its toll
Too soon my corpse in death will lay stone cold
and tears from you will be my sole repose.
The troubadour whose words sing songs so bold,
alas, is left struck mute in death's last throes.
Will love's last flower fade without perfume,
to die unsmelled with human heart's adieu
its fragrant scent to linger in my tomb
or heaven sent, will stay and comfort you?

     At end of life my love I hope you'll know,
          when orchids bloom in beauty life's aglow.

Life's Fading Light

When orchids bloom in beauty life's aglow,
as time, with heavy brow, is nature planned,
too soon the beating heart begins to slow
when passion's ember burns the gentle hand.
With flames of love that flicker old and grey,
but moments gone, as youth filled questions asked,
the feelings lost to seasons never stay
for in the end it's just one soul that's passed.
The end of life so often is foretold
when cold the winds of fate speak soft to me.
In warmth and light the blooms of time unfold,
as petals fall, my life will cease to be.

     In whispered songs of love my heart will quell,
          with tender tears, to you, I say     ...farewell.


04/19/16
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Watt Avatar
June 12, 2020 at 12:45 AM
James, this crown of sonnets is a tour de force that boggles the mind. It took me 33 years to write my first 15 sonnets! I think I'm a little better at them now, but only enough to recognize when an opus magnum has been created. You should be extremely proud of this for the rest of your life. So many elements of life woven together, so many emotions committed to poetic phrases, so many philosophical musings, so many endearing attitudes towards life and love. I absolutely loved it, a fave ~ John
Inman Avatar
June 12, 2020 at 9:46 AM
I'm happy that you've found such depth in my write, John. It was a serious undertaking that I had serious doubts about whether I would complete it or not. In the end it is one of the ones I am most proud. Thank you for reading it.
Gauthier Avatar
April 21, 2020 at 9:36 AM
OMG - Part 2 of a masterpiece. This is incredible. Congratulations on this masterful success, James. Wow!
Inman Avatar
April 21, 2020 at 12:12 PM
I feel guilty about including such a long poem. I am humbled by your dedication Line. Thank you.
Delaney Avatar
June 12, 2016 at 4:48 PM
Congratulations James on this top placement. A stunning achievement and a poem to cherish. I am placing it on my favorite poems its to study and maybe someday I will try a crown of sonnets, myself. A toast to your success. Hugs, SuZ
Inman Avatar
June 12, 2016 at 5:24 PM
The most beautiful comment I could ask for Suzanne, thank you.
Bordner Avatar
June 11, 2016 at 1:49 AM
"But, now as time reflects upon my skin...What good of all the sweetness you have known if lonely night awakes to lonely dawn." This is poetry of love's darkest fondness...."Without you dear this life would be but wrong..." This composition speaks the spirit of true love...J.A.B.
Inman Avatar
June 11, 2016 at 8:58 AM
Thank you Justin, thoughts of my wife played a large part in this write.
Arnone Avatar
June 10, 2016 at 2:48 PM
A favorite quatrain (one of many): "but when the final sunset has gone dark the memories we cherished are all lost and only ghostly photos leave the mark of lives that pass like melting winter frost." Also, the final couplet.... :-)
Inman Avatar
June 11, 2016 at 8:55 AM
Thanks again Tom.
Flower Avatar
June 10, 2016 at 10:53 AM
Well, this is marvelous and breathtaking. You really deserve the top win, James. Congrats. ;)
Inman Avatar
June 11, 2016 at 8:55 AM
Thank you for your sweet comment Moon Flower.
La France Avatar
June 9, 2016 at 6:05 PM
James, CONGRATULATIONS on your first place with this amazing work, I recall when you were working on it... wonderful, be proud, dear friend....
Inman Avatar
June 10, 2016 at 9:26 AM
Thank you BW, you are very special.
Allison Avatar
June 9, 2016 at 4:58 PM
Many many congratulations James - i struggle to write even one sonnet you really have excelled and are a worthy winner:-) hugs Jan xx7
Inman Avatar
June 10, 2016 at 9:24 AM
Thanks Jan. You are so inspiring to everyone. I always smile when I see you've visited.
Haight Avatar
June 9, 2016 at 4:37 PM
James, my heartfelt congratulations to you on your outstanding First Place win in Craig's Heroic Crown of Sonnets contest! Such perfect iambic pentameter and rhyme plus your deep emotions and wisdom about life, love, and faith, left me breathless! A wonderful accomplishment! 7+Fav. Sandra
Inman Avatar
June 10, 2016 at 9:23 AM
Sandra, thank you so much. It was certainly a challenge. I was close to giving up on several occasions. It is nice to know that it has found a place of meaning for those who read it.
Teagan Avatar
June 9, 2016 at 2:58 PM
as I said in part one, I'm in awe. Very beautifully done, sir, this is something you should be very proud of... and will treasure, I'm sure... and pass to down to your family for generations to come. Big congratulations on your well deserved win in the contest!!
Inman Avatar
June 10, 2016 at 9:15 AM
Thanks again for your beautiful comment Becca. I am happy with the way it turned out.
La France Avatar
May 2, 2016 at 5:28 PM
James, amazing, awesome, outstanding, cheers for you, winner for sure, 7 ~
Inman Avatar
May 2, 2016 at 6:06 PM
Thanks BW.
Pennell  Avatar
April 20, 2016 at 5:56 AM
bravo , for even trying good luck stephen
Inman Avatar
April 20, 2016 at 5:59 AM
Thank you Stephen. A lot of work went in to this one.
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