Gregory Richard Barden Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

summer of wonder

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things (or feelings) but their inward significance" - Aristotle

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Janie ... Janie Rose

Bright fuchsia painted nails and toes
I was but twelve, a boy ... she, sixteen and coy
Summer mischief at camps on the lake
Warm evenings after dinner, down to the shore

I'd make "the call" - a youthful, visceral howl of promise ... and mystery
Around the misty point it echoed and returned, but much sweeter
(Like a callow phantom searching for straining hearts)
Her teenage version of a nightingale that meant "meet at the tree house"

Oh, how my bones trembled, exictement and apprehension coursing
Inexperience and the unknown dancing like goblins
Mocking me with anxiety, nearly paralyzing
But I HAD to go ... something deep in my marrow burned

A heat that pulled me, despite the horrid confusion and chaos inside
At the lake's edge I would look up at the moon ... swoon
"Watch over me", I'd say, dashing to the tree house up the road
As I got close, I'd hear the radio - her favorite song requested each night

"Why do stars suddenly appear ... every time you are near?" ... indeed
When I reached the rope ladder, I'd take a deep breath ...
And, shaking, aching, I'd climb ... slowly ... up
To a secret, tender world of fear and fun ... and young love, undone ...

The wonders, wild ... of Janie Rose.





Copyright © 2018 Gregory Richard Barden

( photographic art created copyright-free by the poet with GALA AI software )

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