Saudade

My heart felt old; I sought the cold.
Canada’s land was what I planned.
Among trees grand and far inland
To dance my sad brand of sarabande.
Yet precious moments come when joy flowers,
Far briefer than Four-O’clocks,
As resurrected visions composed of spectral smoke,
Reignite our love in brief rapture; abruptly fading.

Far from the shores I now abhor
Where eyes of blue were wrenched from view;
A grisly depart for my sweet heart - 
A rag doll tossed and dragged into the deep.

Winter trees in chiaroscuro
Cuffed by icicles grip and snow.
Dark, defrocked beeches beseeching;     
Limbs pleading for the sap of Spring.               

Staring into those leafless woods
As cotton obscurity falls;
And gloaming passes into night,
Something I see sheds its dark veil.

Life bursts anew; I plainly view
Your windswept raven hair framing
Jeweled eyes and lips set in tan
An amaranthine vision of
 
Our ancient love, so evergreen
Waiting sweetly in the deep snow.
So near, so there, but not now here
A snapping branch broke quietude.

Daring damsel of Tavira, 
My heart still glows at thoughts of thee
Cuddled close on Algarve beach
White wave swash foam tickling our toes.

Our brash love was a high wire act
Done without any safety net.
Diving the sky, diving the deep;
Scaling the peaks; dancing in Rio.

Passion flowed allegro con brio;
Alloying us ‘neath moon and sun.
Until you vanished in the swirling sea
West of the sandy swath of Algarve.

Stolen, seized by a great white shark
As your surfboard raced past mine.
Absent your smile my life seems spent
As if impaled on Triton’s trident.
Yet precious moments come when joy flowers,
Far briefer than Four-O’clocks,
As resurrected visions composed of spectral smoke,
Reignites our love in brief rapture, abruptly fading.
                        2/11/2019
                        Sponsor: Edward Ibeh
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
February 26, 2019 at 6:18 PM
very beautifully written, David. As Line says, BRAVO and Congrats for your awesome win.
Gauthier Avatar
February 25, 2019 at 4:33 PM
Bravo, David. Congrats on your gold medal win.
Harper Avatar
February 24, 2019 at 10:05 PM
David, wonderfully sad and evocative poem here it fits the Saudade format well, I enjoyed reading it.
Andresen Avatar
February 24, 2019 at 12:43 PM
- Congratulations on your 1st place in this contest, David - A touching and sensitive poem - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Ibeh Avatar
February 24, 2019 at 8:29 AM
Thanks for taking part in my contest, David!:-) This is just excellent! Congratulations on your top win!
Fairchild Avatar
February 13, 2019 at 6:24 AM
Oh, what a beautiful rendering! That love is greater than a terrible event, that love persists and rings and echoes from beyond the veil, into infinity! I don't know whether this really happened, but, if so, I am deeply sorry for your loss.
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