Ne'Er Gone

Forever in the wind, the gale, the tempest gone……
though, lingering caress of cheek and thigh remains		
as does the precious memory of fires glow.			
Winds leavings lesson, shreds the sheets of time’s retreat	
and, at last, the snow melts listless in spring’s arms, warm.	
Soft breezes tease her auburn hair, she sighs “Oh, love..”	

The flames of brash passion bank with his absence,"Love.."	
The woodland cottage shutter bang , they say “He’s gone…”
Around her unclad form, he’d wrapped his cloak so warm, 	
where maiden laid abed within, his sweet scent remains.	
The war had come and he must go, he must retreat.		
The ripening moon has passed behind the clouds a glow	

Yet, deep within a single seed, follows nature’s glow.	
The pulse, the heart, the art, of tales, unbridled... love.		
No amount of jeers or warnings can bring retreat,		
for he is not removed, dismissed, a leaving gone.		
See his eyes reflected from the face where she remains?	
See the brand he’s placed upon her heart, so warm.		

Clarity can not make more clear, the trace of warmth	
No prismatic glass can intensify the glow.			
The brilliant bloom, the blush, so, it doth remain.		
When willow weeps upon the wind, she shan’t for love.	
Ne’er lay like Ophelia on the water “He’s gone…….”	
A gifting he has left, a grace, in his retreat.			

That winter wind which blew the fairest love to his retreat		
left empty days and nights of gloom no longer warm.	
“Oh, he harried all the dark emotions….gone…….”		
and left a different brightness, a face a glow.			
Soon, with the fall of maple leaves, she’ll bare his love	
and all that matters in this world with thus remain.		

A wee bairn will birth from such love and will remain.		
Upon bosom blessed, he’ll rest with pain in retreat.		
The fairy folk will not receive her dearest love.		
The skirt of meadow grass will not his wee frame warm	
for her longing has been fulfilled with this child's glow,	
the forest god’s and she can see that he ne’er gone.		

The bairn remains, his gift, memory unwrapped, warm.
The retreat of fire forces internal glow
for love she’d given all her heart, and he ne’er gone.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

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

12
Ward Avatar
August 5, 2010 at 12:54 PM
Deborah, This is beautiful. Oh to write with such grace and passion. I would like to do the Witch Doctor if it is left. Thanks, Jerri
George   Avatar
June 23, 2010 at 6:06 AM
Amazingly beautiful Sestina that carried me back through the ages and touched my heart deeply. Such a difficult form - one I have never had the courage to attempt. Yo have mastered it completely. Love, Lainie
Esquire Avatar
June 17, 2010 at 7:06 AM
Dear Light and LOVE, Deborah, A Souper Amazing "Sestina" Congratulations on YOUR Well Deserved Win in John's Contest Thank-YOU for walking with me through this Superb POETIC Masterpiece I could feel the LOVE and touch the Imagery LOVE embedded in the SOUL YOUR Liege ALWAYS...HG -- SOUP Mail Call
Brown Avatar
June 16, 2010 at 8:58 AM
Congratulations on your win in John Heck's contest "A Warm Embrace" Deb. Love, Carol
Guzzi Avatar
June 15, 2010 at 5:16 PM
I was thinking of an Irish ballade...this did not even get honorable mention in Jared contest so go figure...LOL
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 13, 2010 at 10:01 PM
soupmail
Mehta Avatar
June 13, 2010 at 8:00 PM
Congrats for the 2nd place win, Deb
Green Avatar
June 13, 2010 at 8:48 AM
Soft breezes tease her auburn hair, she sighs “Oh, love..”- excellent! This is like being in a dream... love it! Congrats!
Dietrich Avatar
June 13, 2010 at 12:57 AM
wow, you outdid yourself with a sestina no less and got a great win from this. Congratuations. And do my blog, I want to know your candy personality! Luv, andrea
Mehta Avatar
June 12, 2010 at 6:07 PM
Congrats on the second win. She'd given all her heart and ne'er gone. enjoyed
Sweetheart Avatar
June 12, 2010 at 4:35 PM
Congrats Debbie on your big win in the Warm Embrace contest with your Sestina.. enjoy .luv.. Linda-Marie
Richards Avatar
June 12, 2010 at 3:19 PM
Ahhh................wow !!! This one packs a wallop.....I feel like I just read a romance novel....Exquisite!!! :) Congrats on your win!!!!!
Peranteau Avatar
May 10, 2010 at 1:53 PM
I agree with Jared ....your entry is one which will be a challenge judging, it's packed with this form tightly ! james
Pickett Avatar
May 5, 2010 at 9:54 AM
Thank you for taking time to write in this challenging form... I have enjoyed reading your interpretation of the sestina... Whew, it may be hard to write, imagine having to judge these beauties..... Good luck my friend....:JP]
Scripca Avatar
May 3, 2010 at 6:40 PM
It's an honor to ask me for my opinion. It's just a fantastic write but keep in mind I did not experience with Sestinas yet. I have read the definition tough...it's going to be one of my future projects. Since then lots and lots of hugs and kisses :) Iolanda
La France Avatar
May 3, 2010 at 5:24 PM
I think it is absolutely beautiful, each and every word. And my dear friend, you have a Sestina, worthy of winning in the contest, you got it, and it is amazing.. .. love Constance
A  Avatar
May 2, 2010 at 4:29 PM
ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO READ, HAVE A NICE ONE,,IRMA
Sweetheart Avatar
May 2, 2010 at 1:49 PM
Lines 4 and 3 in my poem are equal to lines 4 and 3 in the first stanza...OK now so does yours... same with the other lines ..the tercet is the hardest to incorporate six full stanzas of words into three short sentences... that is the challenge of the Sestina more than the six lines in each stanza... u are good to go now... luv..
Guzzi Avatar
May 2, 2010 at 1:27 PM
Roger A Ok now I think LOL!
Sweetheart Avatar
May 2, 2010 at 12:59 PM
FANTASTIC ...but... see SOUP MAIL in a few...luv.. from the "Sweetheart"
La France Avatar
May 1, 2010 at 7:14 PM
Yes, my love, my sweet Deborah, wrong.. but fixable, listen you are not alone, I have to leave mine for the night also, going cross eyes.. love constance
Guzzi Avatar
May 1, 2010 at 6:11 PM
Ohhhhh yikes all messed up do not do this with a headcold I am too full of antihistamines decongestants & expectorants GAH..I will fix on the morrow WRONG WRONG WRONG DO NOT COPY! loL
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
May 1, 2010 at 6:11 PM
I don't know why, but this one stirred up a memory of a song titled "Sand" by Lee Hazlewood. He was one of my favorites in the 60's. Vince
Mehta Avatar
May 1, 2010 at 6:07 PM
Good luck in the contest. Wonderful write
Kendrick Avatar
May 1, 2010 at 6:00 PM
Good luck in the contest with this one..Keep the creative pen flowing..Sara
12
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace