John Hamilton Poet Free verse

Now That You Have Gone

Now that you have gone

I meander through lush memories,
of when we were young, and,
your heart was given so tenderly,
and my soul, rejoiced in receiving it

The years passed, and I saw the snow fall,
and I discerned, that you received it's chill,
with open arms...and open heart

my zeal and affection
was not enough to warm you
and the last of our embers died.

Why did you not have the courage or the will to resist the cold?

The stars I fought so hard to attain,
you returned them, without
so much as a thought, or a thank you.

I watched, helplessly as our life unraveled , 
as time and unexpected events pulled our
heartstrings in different directions

My cello and I have become
solitary companions,
and I stroke her strings now
and she resonates with me
but only in a soulful dirge

I used to bathe in our memories,
until you dirtied the waters,
and now I'm stuck in the mud
that you left behind

The stars have departed now,
I gave them their wings and
released them with a soulful sigh

I look back for one last time
at what was, but now is not
and will never be again,

I trudge onward, the path to 
the future growing ever dimmer
now that you ... have gone.

For marathon poetry contest 15

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Susan Ashley September 15, 2025 at 5:47 AM Dear John, it’s a joy to revisit and reread this exquisite emotive poem once again. The heartache is visceral and palpable and so beautifully embraced and expressed. Congratulations for your success in Mark’s contest. I’m honored to share the podium with you. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan John Hamilton September 15, 2025 at 10:43 AM Thanks Sue, I will have to check yours out. Yes I enjoyed this one, actually I reworked it into a song and recorded it it's called Forever left out in the cold. It's not on the soup but may get released in the future on Spotify. Let me know if you want to hear it I can send it to you. Take care John

Mark Toney September 12, 2025 at 8:22 AM John, this is a heartbreaking reflection on a relationship lost. Your “cello” stanza tugs at the heartstrings. Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 15 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. We’re well past the halfway point! Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 16 has already started. You can find your current standing in my Mile 15 blog post. John Hamilton September 12, 2025 at 10:49 AM Thanks so much Mark glad you liked this one. I actually reworked this one into a song so it did have potential. I appreciate the placement in your contest.

CayCay Godwin September 11, 2025 at 10:31 PM So, so touching - love this and understand why it placed. Supreme imagery, John. Congratulations on your placement. Poetry hugs ... CayCay John Hamilton September 12, 2025 at 10:46 AM Thanks Cay Cay.

Barbara Barry-Nishanian January 27, 2021 at 8:03 AM All comments express mine. The sadness is not yours personally, and I understand. I think someone hides under my bed and writes on my computer while I sleep. I've written about abortions several times and don't know why the topic grabs my heart, i's fiction. I've hesitated to post, yet like them, go figure. Loved loved this! John Hamilton January 27, 2021 at 8:53 AM Thanks Barbara again, these are my favorite poems ones that seem to write themselves. People on the soup sometimes think whatever we write is because we feel it from personal experience. However I try empathetic writing a lot, putting into words what others are going through.

Brandy Nicole December 11, 2020 at 9:02 PM "The stars have departed now, I gave them their wings" That is beautiful and sad, all at the same time. Sometimes, it's just not meant to be. Doesn't make it any easier on the heart. This is emotional and tender. Your thoughts caress gently around me. ~ Brandy John Hamilton December 12, 2020 at 2:52 PM Thanks Brandy for your always positive thoughts and visits, nice to "see" you today!

Victor Buhagiar December 4, 2020 at 9:35 AM The good Lord knows how much I can relate to this. My dead wife will always be with me. ~~ John Hamilton December 4, 2020 at 3:13 PM Thanks for your kind visit Victor, sorry if it brought any bad feelings back, have a great evening!

Gregory Richard Barden November 28, 2020 at 11:36 PM Nicely done, John ... keep up the good work. John Hamilton November 29, 2020 at 8:13 AM Thanks G nice to see you active on the soup, and passing by my page, thanks for the comment!

James Inman November 27, 2020 at 9:49 AM A beautiful write John. Sadness so often needs to express itself whether we wish for it to or not. John Hamilton November 27, 2020 at 10:21 AM Thanks James, yeah I guess so, seemed to be out of place from my life now, but anyway glad you liked it.

Alexis Y. November 25, 2020 at 4:22 PM Hi John, You have penned some sad lyrics that we all can relate to. Who hasn't experienced heartbreak? You are a gifted songwriter and the lyrics are just in you ( if that makes sense ). Another song that I would love to hear set to music. Have a great day:-)Alexis John Hamilton November 25, 2020 at 4:27 PM Thanks Lexi glad you like it, I'm a little surprised I'm getting good feedback on this, it's not a lyric it's free verse and it was a strange way of writing for me, I felt like it was being dictated to me, it's only happened a few times but it's nice to see it get some acceptance. Maybe I'm too critical with my own stuff, but glad you liked it!

Laura Leiser November 25, 2020 at 10:47 AM I really liked the flow of your sad thoughts and words in this poem, John. It conveys the heartbreak of a love grown cold over time, and I can feel the angst. Thanks for sharing. :) John Hamilton November 25, 2020 at 4:11 PM Thanks Laura, like I mentioned in other comments this is not really relevant to my life so I was surprised when it popped out onto the page, but, glad it did as it appears some like it.

Silent One November 25, 2020 at 5:27 AM I cna feel the sadness in your words and i can tell it is straight from the deep parts of your heart... I get like this sometimes also and i find the best poetry is formed as a result. John Hamilton November 25, 2020 at 7:37 AM Thanks SO it's the first time in a long time that I write something that feels dictated, I guess that's what they call stream of consciousness writing, kinda cool except looking at it critically it doesn't seem to have harmonious thoughts!

Susan Ashley November 24, 2020 at 4:25 PM Emotions resurface to be released just like the departing stars you gave wings to and released with a soulful sigh... Every moment is poetic in this sad wistful beauty. Nobody does lost love with as much heartfelt loss as you, my dear friend. Tender, emotional, and deep is its poignant reach into the heart. Warmest wishes, dear poet.. ~Susan John Hamilton November 25, 2020 at 7:34 AM Thanks Susan for your positive comments, I'm glad you see the value, I normally don't write like this but like I said it felt like is was dictated to me, I guess that's what they call stream of consciousness writing, kinda cool I guess!

Sandra Adams November 24, 2020 at 1:31 PM sometimes the best poems come from out of the blue... maybe a past poet whispered words to your muse while you were sleeping... one never knows, but regardless of where it came from it's an excellent write... poignant like i like them... hugs John Hamilton November 24, 2020 at 2:46 PM Thanks Sandy, I don't think there's much harmony in the write, feels like incompatible thoughts put together, but I wrote what feels like was dictated to me, make sense or not, glad you liked it!

Vijay Pandit November 24, 2020 at 1:03 PM Quite emotive poem, John. Past sometimes bleeds into present..--perhaps with a new meaning. John Hamilton November 24, 2020 at 2:42 PM Thanks Vijay, who knows maybe I will recognize it's value later, I appreciate your comments always.

John Gondolf November 24, 2020 at 11:24 AM Nicely penned, John, I can feel the deep emotion in this piece. It reminds me of my life some 40 years ago. All the best, John John Hamilton November 24, 2020 at 11:42 AM Thanks John, yeah, I realize now the meaning, mine is from 30 years ago, strange how these feelings resurface from time to time!