I feel your song moving softly,
murmuring underneath my skin ~
I ripple in waves, sighing as we ebb & flow together,
crashing on the shoreline of Thought.
I hear the echo of your touch, gentle upon my heart,
raising mountains where oceans once lay.
I feel your whispers creating fire in my veins ~
embers that pulse past shadows into sunset's embrace.
I taste moonlight on your lips,
falling into the ethereal skies of yearning.
As a child, I watched our cherry trees bloom,
not understanding
the fiery blush that colored my cheeks
with soft pink petals.
When Autumn came, the fruit was sweet,
tender juices pouring from my lips.
You quench my thirst with your liquid words ~
I am hungered
& quiescent under your moonlit eyes
that darken, as if covered by clouds,
when you look at me so intensely.
I reach out for you, a budding branch
stretching for sunlight's warmth.
I am rooted in your earth,
freed by your embracing soil
underneath this restless skin as your fingers
trace the edges of the wind upon my Heart,
defining my Soul with every breath we share
in shivered silence.
We were born to love this way,
lost in the depths of eyes & lips,
found by the tethers of our searching hands
swelling tides in each other's oceans.
Our mouths seek buried treasure
as we hold the only known map ~
compasses forgotten,
we explore the trembling Horizon.
I will not be moved,
save for the gentle currents
of your water upon my Being.
Lips curl into sanctity,
adrift in the embrace of Spirit divine.
I can only be swayed by your immaculate eyes.
You come to me gently in the night,
spending silken moments trailing my pulse
with your languid fingers ~
I am swirling silently,
immersed in Beauty's gasping grasp.
You reach for me across Space & Time,
drifting on currents of breath between us.
We lay naked to each other's eyes,
sweetly surrendering to the Sea ~
unfathomable tempests roar within my blood.
We once loved each other
on the sultry sands of survival,
salt air echoing softly in our Souls,
knowing rare perfect moments
lost in each other's laughter,
found in each other's dreams.
How is Grief fathomed,
when Light cannot be found?
I walk amidst clouded thoughts,
following the maddening Moon ~
I would lay myself upon you,
a blanket of warm skin
to soothe your weary bones ~
a heartbeat seeking your rhythm
without hesitation or fear.
I would lay myself upon you,
offering succor in morning's embrace.
Your hands unveil an artist's touch,
sculpting & molding curves, stroking angles
with deftness for colors & lines;
knowing the canvas glides
with movements of your brush.
You sketch my Love with bold strokes,
redefining the expanse of my borders,
leaving behind a mist of Dreams unrealized,
of sorrows not quite earned.
We light these sacred candles,
wondering why we still feel cold ~
the flames flicker on the periphery of Silence.
We breathe our hope so deeply,
trying to change pillars of silvery dust
into feathered embraces
that will not hold the stars
as they fall from the sky.
There's a sigh upon your lips
that I'd love to kiss into Silence,
yet, I do not move ~ I can only sit & watch you,
as if in a distant Dream...
I dare not speak & end this quiet moment
that stretches between us as an Eternity.
I want to feel those gentle hands
tangled in my hair always.
The bud opens shyly,
softly scenting the air with allure
as petals fall gently to the ground.
Leaves stir in a Woman
who knows the grandeur of Autumn
& the harshness of Winter,
whispering as she waits for Harvest...
~ July 26, 2006
3:35 p.m.
Author notes
Picture credit: "Entangled" by Michael J. Austin
Picture courtesy of art.com
www.oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/Pablo_Neruda
Oldpoetry link courtesy of rufina caraid
www.poemhunter.com/pablo-neruda/poet-6638/
"I want to do with you
what spring does
with the cherry trees."
~ Pablo Neruda
7/27/06 7 a.m. ~
I sent this poem to a dear Friend of mine...& I JUST found out; my poem about Neruda is going to be presented in Vancouver. WOWZER. I'm thrilled, to say the least. I love Pablo Neruda's poetry. There will be people there who actually met & KNEW him.
World Poetry Press Release: Neruda Celebration: July 31st.
World Poetry Proudly Presents the 102nd birthday of the Chilean Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda!
July 31, 7:30 pm Vancouver Public Library, Alice McKaye room.
*Special guest: The Consul General of Chile Maria Eliana Cuevas.*
Featured Poets reading Neruda’s poetry in many languages
8/1/06 2 a.m. A dear Friend of mine attended the event. She will be sending me a dvd & cd, as well as many cards from notable people that attended the event. She had a wonderful time, too.
I...well, I am thrilled beyond belief. Stunned.
A list of poems I've written inspired by Neruda's work...
www.allpoetry.com/list/32181
I was shocked by my poem's inclusion at such a prestigious event & also quite pleased. 3 consulate ambassadors were there, as well as Neruda's wife, who sang a beautiful song. Many, if not all, of the Poets reading his work had actually met & knew Neruda...
Written July 26th, 2006
In a list
- Older Poems (under construction) • next in list
- Gathering Possibilities • next in list
- Inspired by...Various (under construction) • next in list
- Sorrow • next in list
- Passion • next in list
- Compilations • next in list
- Inspired by Pablo Neruda • next in list
- Inspired by Famous People • next in list
- Saying Goodbye • next in list
- Stories • next in list
- TREASURED!!! • next in list
- Gold • next in list
- Bronze • next in list
- Silver • next in list
- Honorable Mentions • next in list
- Dedications (under construction) • next in list
- Poems Used For "One Poem A Week Series" • next in list
- Contest poems • next in list
- A Few of My Favorite Poems • next in list
- Edgier • next in list
- WLB Alpha • next in list
- Sensual Quills group list • next in list
What did you think
Comments
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i am lost in these images of splendor
poetess you reached out took a piece of my soul with this verse so flowing and true
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...I'm just ...in awe!
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Now YOU'RE the one bein' too kind. Thank you. 
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Swan . . . oh my dear Swan . . . where has this masterpiece been hiding!?!? You know how much I love your book and all that I read here on AP . . . but this, this embraces me with a beauty, with a delicacy that is almost too much to bear. So beautifully written, so heartfelt, so, so . . . PLEASE, gentle lady . . . if there are more pieces of long poetics that have fallen from your pen in the past, please, please send them my way . . . I need to nourish myself at such an oasis of perfection . . . peace sister . . . Marc
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It was hiding in plain sight, pinned to my author's page, Sweetie.
Thank you for your lovely words, dear Scribe. As for others...peruse at your leisure, Marc. I'd recommend my lists for many reasons, although they are far from complete. "Gathering Possibilities" are poems I'm considering for my next book, "Stories" are just that, poems that are based on true events (well, they ALL are, but these are more direct). 
Choose any you like, my Friend. If I ever get a free moment, I'll send you links to some of my own favorites. I appreciate ya, Marc. 
Wanda
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Simply Amazing!
Thanks for sharing such an in-depth piece of poetry for us all to enjoy.
Love the emotion, heart-felt lines divine, and captivating content.
Keep up the wonderful works Wanda, you rocked this piece.
Great Job!
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incredible
i do not see you writing to or about neruda here, awsomed as you may be about his immeasurable grandeur. i see you writing here to a lover you lost, neruda your excuse, a door opening into the intimacy of your soul and flesh to tell of your sea deep and sea wide love for this one person, neruda being the celestial music playing in the background of the bedroom of this love. am i wrong? i don't think so...
your second stanza is sublime, your ending line is a killer
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"I ripple in waves, sighing as we ebb & flow together,
crashing on the shoreline of Thought."
Wow! I need a cold shower...*sigh* Wanda...you are awesome! Congrats on the poem presentation as well! You go girl! 
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Silence is Golden
I dare not speak & end this quiet moment
...
The bud opens shyly,
...
as petals fall gently to the ground.
as ever Wanda true to wonder from embers to embrace without embarassment -
I had read this once before - now am back to indulge all the more. These two verses pulled out moments in my own life that bring me to such warmth (and I thank you for that):
"I want to feel those gentle hands
tangled in my hair always."
Such simple thoughts - but so perfectly captures. I think every woman that has been touched in a way that only that moment exists - can relate to this. Perhaps for me it would be feeling the firmness of hands near the base of my hair, nape of my neck, pulling me closer... (and so the tale goes on for us to revel in such wonderful memories, and to want for more).
Thank you for this poem Wanda.
And, so I hear this is your birthday. Many happy wishes in this day for you and so many many more...
Kim
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stunning
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I love Neruda, and this is fitting as a dedication. In particular, the immediacy of his metaphores, his unspoken eternals, his conflation of nature and person have always appealed to me. You have nice touches like the use of hungered and the soil rooting and freeing; the extended metaphors from nature (the sea, the sea)... all go toward creating a sense of his sensualness.
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wow this poem surpasses words
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Your cup overflows
with beautiful poetic
talent, my friend.
This deserves a standing
O, too Love, Lane
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Wow...
My opinion of you has been confirmed! Wonderfully soft silky sensual words that pluck at the heart strings...
Lovely!
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double WOWZER !!
Unbelievably moving and it pulled me in immediately!
"I feel your song moving softly,
murmuring underneath my skin ~
I ripple in waves, sighing as we ebb & flow together,
crashing on the shoreline of Thought."
Make that a triple WOWZER!!!
You should write a book Oh, You did!
Then I better buy it *rushes over to Amazon.com*
the deed is done!
I bow to you MasterScribe
and I thank you for sharing your MasterPiece ~ Nicholas ~
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I think this is the only long poem that has really held my attention. I've never heard of Neruda, I'll check him out later. The only suggestion I could give is the repetition of "lips". I'm not sure if it's purposeful, but the word kind of gets tedious after a while.
Other than that though, this was magnificent in my opinion. It has great imagery, language, and emotion. Which is something I very rarely see tangled up together in a poem.
The illustrations were all coherent and they matched well together. For the surprising long line length, none of them seemed jagged or out of place.
Great piece, a pleasure to read. Thank you for the entry, we'll see what fishbone says about. -
Excellent.
But it certainly is long. Gads. I've got a crik in my back and my neck is killing me from sitting here reading this.
Just kidding. It's a great poem.
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You do??? I wrote it in July & I'm still bent in half from it. Thank you kindly, JD. I'm pleased you enjoyed it, my Friend. Wanda
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Girl , You don't have to tell me its " lengthy " to scare me away or get me to stop in...LOL. I would check your poems out even if it said " warning: unreadable and unfinished ".
Anywho , This is of a different level than I am used to from you. Not only is it visually effective but it lasts in your mind long after the final phrase.
I would like to share a memory with you instead of commenting on the poem itself , If you don't mind. This is what your write stirred in me and there is no point in me trying to critique a poem such as yours above.
When I was around the age of seventeen I remember buying a piece of art for my grandmother...Now, She is not the most creative person in the world , But she tried to interpret the piece to the best of her ability. She said something along the lines of " James , You know that I appreciate the gesture but have no idea in hell where to the put the thing ". Her idea was to stick it in the hallway so she could see it on the way to the bathroom...lol. I explained that art was meant to be put some place so that everyone could catch a glimpse. Even if they themselves had no idea about art either. I remember the next day I found the painting above the television. I than asked what made her choose there over somewhere else in the living room and she explain , In rather simple terms: " Because I figure if I can't understand the meaning of art now , I might as well try to look at it while I'm watching t.v. Who knows , It could start to make sense like those prizes on " wheel of fortune ". Neededless to say that I laughed for a couple of days after that.
And there you have it. A little tale from the musty tome that I often share with few people.
You bring out the best my dear. Yes you do.
Take care and much love ,
James
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Awww, James Darling. I just got here after a long, hard day...I log on & find my sweet boy has been by my pages, bringing smiles along with him. Ahhh, I felt compelled to put "lengthy" so the ADD crowd wouldn't waste my points. I've had people complain over my normal pieces being too long...they're one side of a piece of notebook paper. WIDE~RULED, mind you. Thank you, Dear Heart. I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I got the dvd of the event; it's amazing.
I've had 2 other poems featured in Vancouver since then & one (that I know of; there could be more) actually read over the World Poetry Cafe radio broadcast. Sighhh...You made me smile, as you always do, my Friend. Impeccable timing, too...I needed one. Thank you, Sweetie. 
Wanda
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Congratulations on having this read to such distinguished company. You should be so proud. It's a very beautiful piece, making me sigh all the way through.
Thank you so much for sharing this
Gaylene
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Breathtaking
I remove your glasses and brush back your long curly hair.
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Well, just don't go too far with 'em, Poet...I kinda like bein' able to see what I'm doin'... But ohhh, yeahhh...Hands in my hair??? You betcha...It definitely gets my attention... Thanks, Sweetie...I'm pleased you enjoyed it, my Friend... Wanda
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i am in awe of this poetry - such metaphoric writing I have not yet seen on this site - congratulations on your accomplishments as well. Exquisite poem.
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Uncredible nuance, tender and heartbeating, Lovely in every way.
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Thank you for your gracious words, Cinnarry...I'm glad you enjoyed it...This one remains one of my own favorites...Be well, Poet... Wanda
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I wonder why I had not seen this before and can fully understand how proud you are of this piece and what an honor to have it read out to Neruda's family and friends and have it applauded as such. You are a fine poetess but then I think I tell you that all the time my friend. Just divine reading
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Thank you, Chez...The organizer of the event sent me the dvd; my poem is scrolling across the screen at the end to the strains of Spanish guitar music...Sighhh...What a thrill. I appreciate ya, Lady... Wanda
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I am only saddened by the fact that I had yet to read this remarkable piece of poetry. You are a soul, natually gifted, with the beauty that can be created with mere words. To me, this is one of the most incredible writes that I have read from you Wanda; and one that not only shows why I admire your writing - but also what poetry was intended to mean. Many writers have yet to find that niche, the exact place to rest their pen upon the remnants of who they are and what they feel. Thank you so much for your entry!
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What lovely things you say to me, Wendy...Thank you, Lady...I'm pleased you enjoyed it so much...It remains one of my own favorites, for many reasons...I have a list on my page of poems specifically inspired by Neruda's work; he has had a great deal of influence on my writing these past few years...I was even more thrilled to have had it on display for the Neruda celebration; since it was in Vancouver, I couldn't attend...but they recorded the event on dvd & sent me a copy...This piece is scrolling across the screen at the end of the program, to the strains of a Spanish guitar...It's quite lovely...Thank you for hosting & for your always kind words, Wendy...I appreciate ya, Poet... Wanda
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wonderful poem here..captures a mood
and Neruda..his passionate and direct side I think...I enjoyed this thank you for sending this to me...PK
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Oh my. How beautifully you write. Such amazing words and such beautiful images were painted throughout the depths of my mind. You are truly an amazing poet. This poem was simply breathtaking. I especially enjoyed the metaphors. They were my favorite.
♥
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I can see why you won gold..... the poem flowed with such real emotion, it is easy to feel everything and I do mean everything within your poem, every touch, every caress, every kiss as it is written from the inner beauty of your heart and soul. So many people throw words together and call it a poem, but you give every poem such life and emotion. Each poem lives within you and when it flows to your pen, all its beauty flows to the paper. I think this is what makes you a GREAT POET. Your poetic master pieces reach out and touch the reader as it has touched me. You are amazing
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I honestly don't know what to say. I'm breathless. This poem deserves gold. This poem is
Wow
It's so deep
So sensual
The imagery, the diction, the flow, the
Wow
I really don't know what to say. I love the metaphors so much. The vibrancy of your words is incredible. The beauty and power of your theme. I'm really at a loss of words. This is beyond astounding.
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Awww, shucks, Poet. I'm pleased you enjoyed it so much...It remains one of my own favorites...I have another one on display in Vancouver right now for the World Peace Convention...The same lady that organized the Neruda celebration requested another poem for it...I dunno; for some odd reason, I seem to be popular in Canada... Pablo Neruda's works inspire me to no end...I've written quite a few after reading his incredible pennings...There are a few that get under your skin like that...Emily Dickinson crawled under my skin when I was only 14...Thank you for your kind words...
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I remember this one! Congratulations on a well deserved win.
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breathtaking
Wanda, you know this is my favorite of yours....
As I have said before this is a masterpiece...a beautiful creation worthy of such praise!
Amazing once again ...no matter how many times I have read it!
Lynda
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Thank you so much, my Friend...
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Fantastic
This write is so full of emotion thanks for sharing
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Thanks for reading...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...I'm still rather fond of this one, myself...Be well, Poet... Wanda
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A masterpiece
I don't know why you were suprised beyond belief,
If I wrote something like this I would be SO DAMN SURE that it will reign SUPREME..
You're a Gem of art, and I am still learning from your free-versed wisdom how to become the keeper of the gate *winks*.
Be very well,
AND VERY CONGRATULATIONS (I know, but better late then never right ?).
*winks**smles**claps*
RD.
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Beautiful
Dear Wanda, your language flies to the heights of emotion, from apex to nadir, and to all the corners of existence. This is exceptional work.
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A slow dance indeed and a charming song
Ah Wanda -- with gentle words you swinged into the rhythm of the slow dance of the poetic soul. Your love for the work of Neruda is so visible in this write. The phrasings are tactile and colorful.
There is ONE reference which I do not like, and that is:
We once loved each other
on the sultry sands of survival
The word survival is unnecessarily abstract. I would have made it more concrete if it was my poem, more TACTILE. like:
We once loved each other
on the sultry sands of Acapulco,
or whatever beach ... it just makes it more sensoric and sensual, in the way Neruda loved to write.
Only a suggestion
Love
Myra
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You are in remarkable companyn here
This poem also has the honor of being on the short list at Winklings Select Poems in our Poet Laureate Seasonal Contest. Your poem is beautifully realized and sparkles with startling images and graceful rhythms. That your role model is Neruda is interesting for my reading. -
Wow, congraulations on your success. It was a beautifully written poem. All of your poems are beautifully written.
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Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, Lady...I'm pleased you enjoyed it; I worked rather hard on this one...Be well, Poet... Wanda
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Thank you for your gracious words, Emmjay...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... 
Wanda
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Thank you for your kind words & efforts in hosting...Be well, Poet... Wanda
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Congratulations!
Metaphorical magic ! Generally I hesitate when people flag their work as 'long /lengthy', but seeing you received silver and a place in the finals of p2a's collaboration contest, I thought it deserves the respect of an open-minded read.
And was I impressed. Actually, I didn't find it too long, that being the measure of the quality of your piece. I see you've also received praise from elsewhere, other than AP. Congratulations !
The poem itself is a beautiful, beautiful love story. The metaphors and imagery left me breathless.
Congratulations on the silver and best wishes for the finals.
Sincerely -Emmjay -
I can surely see why they wanted to hear this poem read. And no doubt they were enthralled by it, and in awe. Words of satin and silk, caressing the readers mind, as the poetic journey into grace and inner charm evolves and weaves it's way into one's heart.
As the race for gold tightens up ~
Thanks for entering it, and good luck in the contest.
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You wrote this the month before I came to AP. Curious. The long sweep of this one is truely amazing. Once again...you take my breath away, Wanda. Don't ever stop doing that to me.
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Thank you for your kind comments, jasminerose...I'm pleased you enjoyed it so much...Be well, Poet... Wanda
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Hi Night Hope!
Brilliant poem!
I completely agree with Lynda about the breathtaking part! Whew~ I can't catch my breath!
Your words are like a whisper that fill ones heart!
I just loved this line:
There's a sigh upon your lips
that I'd love to kiss into Silence,
Outstanding entry for our contest!
Thank you for sharing this with us!
Jasminerose
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Thank you for your always gracious words, Lynda. I'm pleased you enjoyed my work, my Friend. I appreciate your kindness & your time. The more of Neruda you read, the more you'll want to read...Be well, Poet.
Wanda
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Wanda
I love the poetry of Pablo Neruda. I have only just begun to discover his works while visiting the book store. I love the poem "A Song Of Despair"
Your poem is brilliant, and simply breathtaking..I am speechless, really!
These lines stood out to me:
"We were born to love this way,
lost in the depths of eyes & lips,
found by the tethers of our searching hands
swelling tides in each other's oceans.
Our mouths seek buried treasure
as we hold the only known map ~
compasses forgotten,
we explore the trembling Horizon."
Leaves me in awe!
Lynda
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Thank you for hosting & for your kind comments, Darc Storm...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda
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Ahhh, but I always get over myself eventually, Ian...& regain the ability & desire for movement...
Yes, my dear Friend...What a life, indeed...Thanks, Scribe... Wanda
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There's a sigh upon your lips
that I'd love to kiss into Silence,
yet, I do not move ~ I can only sit & watch you,
as if in a distant Dream...
I dare not speak & end this quiet moment
that stretches between us as an Eternity.
ah, stunned into paralysis by the fingers of love, what a life eh spill ink and twist me into the crazy shape of love...
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Thank you, dear Ian...I'm glad you enjoyed it, Sweetie...I actually have done some longer pieces; I have a list on my author's page called "Story Poems"...Here's the link to it...I like the later ones the best, I think...Like "The Poet at Seventeen", for instance...I believe you've read a few of 'em along the way, my Friend...As for this one; I got the dvd of the Neruda celebration a few days ago...My poem scrolls across the screen at the end, with Spanish guitar playing in the background...Amazing to see my poem in that light...& humbling, too...
Wanda
www.allpoetry.com/list/32271 -
you should write more of these longer pieces i think, this is very good, a lot of power within that seeps out gently to the reader spill ink and twist me into the crazy shape of love...
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Thank you for the ass~whuppin', Tom. Can't let myself get lazy now...I'm glad you enjoyed it so much...I was quite pleased with how it turned out...& stunned when it was shown in Vancouver...I was watching the DVD of the event earlier today; the last segment is of poems that were submitted by people that couldn't attend (only 20 poems were displayed); mine was the first shown, in its entirety, to the strains of Spanish guitar music...Sighhh... I also love Andres Segovia & Carlos Montoya...Thanks for another great comment, Tom...Be well, Poet. Wanda
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you are a treasure. It is even nicer when the world is willing to celebrate your magnificence. I loved the poem. The deep sensuality that drew me to the Anti poets after a year with French Symbolist is alive and kicking in your poem. This fevored firey lusty need so well played on the drama of earth and texile makes the fingers itch to dance with ones partner. Tremendous work, makes me proud to have kicked your ass for trying to do a fast one tonight. God I am envious of the language you resourced and mined for this poem. Be Blessed. Love, Tom B.
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Thank you for your kind words, Stacy...I'm pleased you enjoyed it, my Friend...Be well, Poet... Wanda
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Wanda this is absolutely beautiful! I don't even think I have the capacity to delve into any of it at the moment. Just know that I was awed.
I love Neruda too, and am frequently inspired by him - by his words, his style, his boldness and uniqueness.
I first encountered him in Spanish class, so I connected to him in his essence. And the first time I wrote a piece inspired by him I found it a bit difficult to stick to the confines of English lol.
Nehoo, I'm rambling. This was lovely, and congrats on such an outstanding, well-deserved achievement!
Best wishes always,
Stacy
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Thank you for hosting & for your gracious words, Tang. I'm pleased you enjoyed my work & even more pleased to share Neruda's influence with you. I appreciate your kindness & your time. Be well, Poet. Wanda
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