Notes About The Poem

Published: 28th July 2024 

Photo: Nigel Chadwick / Wikipedia 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 gentle smiles and 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

Poem

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123
Smith nee Howarth Avatar
May 17, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Love the rhythmic flow and imagery. Thank you for a pleasant read.
Radice Avatar
May 17, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Thank you for reading and for your comments Alison. Much appreciated. Cheers - Gary
Ashley Avatar
September 28, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Dear Gary, I'm thrilled to return to this exceptional poem once again and revel in your poetic finesse! Oh such wistful emotion flows through your vibrant imagery. Beautiful in every way. If I could fav this poem a 1000 times I would! Congratulations for your success in Mark's contest. Warmest wishes, my inspiring poet friend.. ~Susan
Radice Avatar
September 30, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Susan, I'm just thrilled you did return to the poem. I could read your comments all day :) Thank you. Wonderful stuff. Cheers - Gary
Daniels Avatar
September 25, 2025 at 4:02 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.
Radice Avatar
September 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Thank you for taking the time to comment Ghairo. I'm glad my poem had a positive effect on you. Cheers - Gary
Godwin Avatar
September 22, 2025 at 8:44 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
Radice Avatar
September 22, 2025 at 9:34 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
Toney Avatar
September 21, 2025 at 2:49 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.
Radice Avatar
September 22, 2025 at 8:41 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
Gaul Avatar
August 10, 2025 at 7:54 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
Radice Avatar
August 10, 2025 at 8:03 AM
That's very kind of you to say so Greg. Thank you. Cheers - Gary
Stebbings Avatar
July 22, 2025 at 11:37 AM
HI Gary, I like this one. Interesting subject, so evocative of our country scenery.
Radice Avatar
July 22, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Thanks Barry. Much of the poem was based around The Lake District. Cheers - Gary
Lawrence Avatar
April 3, 2025 at 6:42 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
Radice Avatar
April 3, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Susan, thanks so much for your lovely encouraging comments and it's great to read you back at The Soup. Cheers - Gary.
Waltrip Avatar
February 16, 2025 at 8:15 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!
Radice Avatar
February 17, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Thank you Robert. Your comments are very much appreciated. Cheers - Gary
Peck Avatar
January 16, 2025 at 2:07 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
Radice Avatar
January 16, 2025 at 2:16 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
Edmonds  Avatar
January 6, 2025 at 6:20 PM
That’s so lovely Gary, beautiful memories and so nice that you and yours still take those wonderful walks… Beryl
Radice Avatar
January 6, 2025 at 11:13 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
Ashley Avatar
January 4, 2025 at 8:58 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
Radice Avatar
January 5, 2025 at 1:18 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
Hargreaves Avatar
November 10, 2024 at 9:16 AM
Hi Gary. Enjoyed the read. Great theme in rhyming couplets and tetrameter - a strong combination. Tony
Radice Avatar
November 10, 2024 at 12:16 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
Gaul Avatar
November 2, 2024 at 5:54 AM
Inside a world called yesterday. Excellent phrasing. Top drawer work here Gary.
Radice Avatar
November 2, 2024 at 6:51 AM
Thank you Greg. I'm beginning to think that I live there with my poetry. :) Cheers - Gary
Williams Avatar
October 11, 2024 at 6:03 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
Radice Avatar
October 12, 2024 at 1:14 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
Dietrich Avatar
September 20, 2024 at 7:33 AM
What a beautiful and nostalgic poem. You got lots of comments. Great job, Gary
Radice Avatar
September 20, 2024 at 11:01 PM
Thanks Andrea. Looking back over all my poems, nostalgia could be my middle name. :) Cheers - Gary
Wolf Avatar
September 16, 2024 at 8:49 PM
The imagery is both magnetic and haunting, Gary. It lures me into the depths of this remarkable poem! Bravo, Gershon
Radice Avatar
September 17, 2024 at 7:22 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
Junaid Avatar
August 30, 2024 at 8:27 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.
Radice Avatar
August 30, 2024 at 9:42 AM
Thank you Hiba for your lovely comments. Truly appreciated. Cheers - Gary
Rose  Avatar
August 30, 2024 at 4:51 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, :)
Radice Avatar
August 30, 2024 at 6:01 AM
My pleasure Mystic Rose Rose - just as it was for me to read your lovely comments. Thanks so much. :) Cheers - Gary
Delaney Avatar
August 23, 2024 at 6:09 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
Radice Avatar
August 23, 2024 at 6:38 AM
Such beautiful comments SuZ. Thank you. They read like poetry themselves. Cheers - Gary
Cunningham Avatar
August 20, 2024 at 1:46 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
Radice Avatar
August 20, 2024 at 11:58 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
Kauffman Avatar
August 12, 2024 at 10:52 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!
Radice Avatar
August 12, 2024 at 1:13 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
Beaufort Avatar
August 12, 2024 at 6:56 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!
Radice Avatar
August 12, 2024 at 7:23 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
Lamoureux Avatar
August 11, 2024 at 4:55 AM
What a true pleasure to read. Thanks for your kind visit.
Radice Avatar
August 11, 2024 at 5:03 AM
And it's been a true pleasure to read your comments Richard. Thank you. Cheers - Gary
Kendrick Avatar
August 9, 2024 at 1:57 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
Radice Avatar
August 9, 2024 at 2:03 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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