Notes About The Poem

Published: 28th July 2024 

 Photo of a Kissing Gate courtesy of Nigel Chadwick / Wikimedia Commons

Poetry Soup's POEM OF THE DAY (30th July 2024)


With a nod to Thomas Hardy and William Blake.


 

The Kissing Gate

‘far from the madding crowds’ and cars
this green and pleasant land of ours

conceals behind its dry stone walls
secrets, streams and waterfalls

where stepping stones that gather moss
shine forth and tempt us both across

to distant fields of eighties’ skies
now clouded through autumnal eyes

where sheep still bleat as we both pass
along old paths of weathered grass

rekindling thoughts as each track weaves
of first love, hope and burning leaves

that once infused a simpler air
but linger still inside somewhere

to guide us on those wistful miles
through woods, past farms and over stiles

in search of where we sat and spent
time dreaming dreams of dreams we dreamt

over the hills and far away
inside a world called yesterday

and where we’d stay ‘til light turned late
in fields beyond the kissing gate

where now through smiles and gentle tears
reflecting on those forty years

it feels like time has flown so fast
since young love asked if love could last.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024


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Date: 9/25/2025 4:02:00 AM
Beautiful integration of Love with Time & Mother Nature : natural feel to cadence & couplets : you do Blake & Hardy proud, Gary. I can see them smiling at : time dreaming dreams of dreams we dreamt / wistful miles through woods. Poem uplifted me today. Congrats too on placement, only reading now. B blessed, Cheers 2 & ThkU 4 reading mine.
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Date: 9/22/2025 8:44:00 AM
This may be my fav poem that placed above me (haven't read the others yet.) Your write is exquisite poetry with great flow, rhyme and content - the full package. Congratulations on your placement. Poetry hugs ... CayCay
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Gary Radice
Date: 9/22/2025 9:34:00 AM
Thank you Cay Cay. Life has got in the way of my poetry as of late (the reading of and the writing of) but I'm hoping to get back to some sense of normality this week and plan to read all the placed poems in Mark's latest stage of his marathon contest. Read you soon. Cheers - Gary
Date: 9/21/2025 4:04:00 PM
Congrats Gary, a little Thomas Hardy and Led Zeppelin here, excellent - Keep rollin’ on,
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Gary Radice
Date: 9/22/2025 8:36:00 AM
Good spot there Mark :) I read somewhere that Led Zeppelin were themselves influenced by Tolkien's poem "Over Old Hills And Far Away" (1916) but tbh I don't know too much about that. Much appreciate your visit and valued comments. Cheers - Gary
Date: 9/21/2025 2:49:00 PM
Exquisite poetry, Gary. You and your wife make a great couplet. ;-) Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 17 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 18 has already started.
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Gary Radice
Date: 9/22/2025 8:41:00 AM
"You and your wife make a great couplet" Now that's poetry :) Many Thanks Mark. I'm running out of poems that come in below the 42 lines for your marathon contest so I may have to write some more. :) Cheers - Gary
Date: 8/10/2025 7:54:00 AM
So many kind aspects to link between nature and your kiss with Ann. Time does make a difference. Lucky you to share this with us. Lucky us to read your work. GG
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Gary Radice
Date: 8/10/2025 8:03:00 AM
That's very kind of you to say so Greg. Thank you. Cheers - Gary
Date: 7/22/2025 11:37:00 AM
HI Gary, I like this one. Interesting subject, so evocative of our country scenery.
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Gary Radice
Date: 7/22/2025 9:30:00 PM
Thanks Barry. Much of the poem was based around The Lake District. Cheers - Gary
Date: 4/3/2025 6:42:00 AM
Dear Gary, I don’t know how I’ve not read this until now! Such a heart felt beautiful spiritual poem. I was enveloped while reading and it brought mistiness to my eyes thinking of your 40 years with your beloved. So much beauty in your words -so much tenderness in the environment around you. Bravo! My favorite line In search of where we sat and spent time dreaming dreams of dreams we dreamt.I love your creative mind and spirit. All the best, love, Susan
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Gary Radice
Date: 4/3/2025 10:55:00 AM
Susan, thanks so much for your lovely encouraging comments and it's great to read you back at The Soup. Cheers - Gary.
Date: 2/20/2025 7:40:00 AM
Revisiting some of my favorites today Gary. This poem will always be one of the best on PS, IMHO. Such great rhymes, your specialty
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Gary Radice
Date: 2/20/2025 9:32:00 PM
Thanks Tommy for the great comments. We're lucky here in the UK having over 140,000 miles of public footpaths and bridleways (horses can be ridden down bridleways) which make up our public rights of way network. As a result you can really connect with nature once you leave the cities behind. The beautiful English countryside acts as a backdrop here for a poem that is actually based on several different walks Ann and I have taken over the 40 years (and revisited too) since we first met. Those country paths also serve as a metaphor of sorts for the paths we have taken on life's journey together - and how that thing called love can deepen over time - 'beyond the kissing gate'. Thanks again for your revisit and very kind words. Cheers - Gary
Date: 2/16/2025 8:15:00 PM
Gary, I had to read this poem a few times, because it has such a comfortable feel, each time gleaning something new from your great storytelling. You've managed to capture romantic hearts in a way that comes naturally - like love itself. Great job!
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Gary Radice
Date: 2/17/2025 2:15:00 AM
Thank you Robert. Your comments are very much appreciated. Cheers - Gary
Date: 1/16/2025 2:07:00 PM
Dear Gary, I love your beautiful nostalgia and your loving memories of young love that has lasted. Altho, I'm a bit late :) Congratulations on POTD and 40 years! Ann
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Gary Radice
Date: 1/16/2025 2:16:00 PM
Thanks Ann. I often wonder where the years go. It's 40 years since I first met Ann. I had broken my leg and she was a nurse on the ward where I was. :) This poem was a complete reworking of an earlier poem I wrote several years back. I often do that sort of thing when my muse takes a holiday. :) I'm glad you like it. Cheers - Gary
Date: 1/6/2025 6:20:00 PM
That’s so lovely Gary, beautiful memories and so nice that you and yours still take those wonderful walks… Beryl
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Gary Radice
Date: 1/6/2025 11:13:00 PM
We walk a lot Beryl. Perhaps not as much as we did but we still enjoy it - while we can. Thanks for your visit and lovely comments. Cheers - Gary
Date: 1/4/2025 8:58:00 AM
Dear Gary, where do I begin to praise this deeply moving verse, an intimate, dreamy, tender weave of past and present reflections full of gratitude and emotions so pure and so beautifully depicted in the rhythm and rhyme of your couplets..? I adore the appreciation expressed for being with your lifelong love, so beloved, the nostalgia, and the thriving romance still abloom "in fields beyond the kissing gate". Your exquisite imagery brings me to the center of a loving scene. A must Fav for me! Warmest wishes my inspiring poet friend.. ~Susan
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Gary Radice
Date: 1/5/2025 1:18:00 AM
Thank you Susan. I adapted an old poem of mine (now pulled) that I didn't think said everything that I wanted to say. A few more lines, a bit of moving around, some changes and voila! I'm happy with how it turned out. :) So glad you like it. Cheers - Gary
Date: 11/10/2024 9:16:00 AM
Hi Gary. Enjoyed the read. Great theme in rhyming couplets and tetrameter - a strong combination. Tony
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Gary Radice
Date: 11/10/2024 12:16:00 PM
Thanks Tony. There's something about tetrameter that I really like when writing poetry. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading. Cheers - Gary
Date: 11/2/2024 5:54:00 AM
Inside a world called yesterday. Excellent phrasing. Top drawer work here Gary.
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Gary Radice
Date: 11/2/2024 6:51:00 AM
Thank you Greg. I'm beginning to think that I live there with my poetry. :) Cheers - Gary
Date: 10/11/2024 6:03:00 PM
I've only just come across your works Gary, this is a beautiful poem and a tribute to you and your wife. The rhythm and meter is worthy of a lyric. Very Belated congrats on your POTD. Maria PS - thank you for visiting my pages. Actually 'Starry Starry' night is not entirely fictional. (I had to say that) After all these years the parents are still trying to come to terms with it. Hugs Maria
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Gary Radice
Date: 10/12/2024 1:14:00 AM
Thanks Maria:) I sensed there was something closer to home in your poem because of the depth of emotion conveyed. Thanks for your lovely comments.. Truly appreciated. Cheers - Gary
Date: 9/20/2024 7:33:00 AM
What a beautiful and nostalgic poem. You got lots of comments. Great job, Gary
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Gary Radice
Date: 9/20/2024 11:01:00 PM
Thanks Andrea. Looking back over all my poems, nostalgia could be my middle name. :) Cheers - Gary
Date: 9/16/2024 8:49:00 PM
The imagery is both magnetic and haunting, Gary. It lures me into the depths of this remarkable poem! Bravo, Gershon
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Gary Radice
Date: 9/17/2024 7:22:00 AM
Thanks Gershon. If I managed to pull you - or any other reader - in with this poem then that's mission accomplished :) Thanks again. Cheers - Gary
Date: 8/30/2024 8:27:00 AM
This poem weaves emotions into words so effortlessly that reading it feels like a breeze flitting by. this technique alone is commendable but the sentiments expressed are facets of their own. took my breath away.
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Gary Radice
Date: 8/30/2024 9:42:00 AM
Thank you Hiba for your lovely comments. Truly appreciated. Cheers - Gary
Date: 8/30/2024 4:51:00 AM
Oh my I will fav this one, its beautiful n every way dear Gary, how precious and ow sacred that young love is, it deserves to be preserved, and worshiped at the font of loyalty and eternity. Thank you for sharing this, :)
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Gary Radice
Date: 8/30/2024 6:01:00 AM
My pleasure Mystic Rose Rose - just as it was for me to read your lovely comments. Thanks so much. :) Cheers - Gary
Date: 8/23/2024 6:09:00 AM
Gary: I felt so many similarities threading through your poem because of similar incidents I experienced. Our generation still had innocence to lose and life seemed so much the better for it. Moments like these were made to allow love to grow and keep love growing forever through wonderful shared memories. I wanted to keep reading it over and over. Fantastic work. Congrats for POTD. SuZ
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Gary Radice
Date: 8/23/2024 6:38:00 AM
Such beautiful comments SuZ. Thank you. They read like poetry themselves. Cheers - Gary
Date: 8/20/2024 1:46:00 PM
Very romantic verse Gary, Congratulations to you and your wife on your 40 years together. It's been 46 for me this year, doesn't look like I'll be getting parole lol. Haven't stopped travelling since I had my op it's given me a new lease of life. I see this was potd, so belated congratulations. Tom
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Gary Radice
Date: 8/20/2024 11:58:00 PM
Hi Tom. I thought I'd try a bit of schmalz for a change. :) Thanks for your kind words. Great to hear about your new lease of life. I was struck down with Covid on a return from a great stay in Belfast in late June that knocked me for six. Fully recovered now though. Only thing I've slowed down with is my output here. Life eh? :) Happy travels to you and yours. Cheers - Gary
Date: 8/12/2024 10:52:00 AM
Gary, this delightful poem flows effortlessly just like "those forty years" as you look back through the metaphor of "the kissing gate." Such beautiful pastoral serenity is expressed in these romantic, faultless couplets. Belated congratulations on your POTD. It is so well deserved. I am left with a overwhelming sense of peace. Blessings and cheers!
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Gary Radice
Date: 8/12/2024 1:13:00 PM
Thank you Sam. With all the troubles in the world I thought I’d have a go at rhyme with a pastoral, chilled and somewhat 'classic' old fashioned flavour. I borrowed a few lines from an older poem I wrote three years back (now pulled) and let my muse direct me down those old tracks echoing to the words of LP Hartley’s 1953 work The Go Between: “The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there.” :) Cheers - Gary
Date: 8/12/2024 6:56:00 AM
Gary, I don't see kissing gates where I live since there are no farms or pastures with livestock nearby. The people here have to use whatever they can find for expressing fondness. It must be nice to live near pastures. We make the best of wherever we are!
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Gary Radice
Date: 8/12/2024 7:23:00 AM
Great to hear from you again Duke. I'm smiling at your words: "the people here have to use whatever they can find for expressing fondness" :) I'm also thinking kissing gates must be unique to the UK. Cheers - Gary
Date: 8/11/2024 4:55:00 AM
What a true pleasure to read. Thanks for your kind visit.
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Gary Radice
Date: 8/11/2024 5:03:00 AM
And it's been a true pleasure to read your comments Richard. Thank you. Cheers - Gary
Date: 8/9/2024 1:57:00 PM
Ahh!! So young love did last a lifetime. Wonderful. I enjoyed reading your journey. Thank you for sharing it with us. Very soon if we both live to make it, in about one month we will reach 62 years. Sara K
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Gary Radice
Date: 8/9/2024 2:03:00 PM
62 years!! Wow!! Congratulations Sara. Glad you enjoyed the journey. Ours in the poem, and yours in life. Thanks for reading. Cheers - Gary
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