Heartsongs⁓*
There came last night in melody
a raptured song of mystery
that sang unto the soul.
From in my heart a gentle breeze
hummed softly with resplendent ease,
scrawled on a golden scroll.
Dreamlike voices in ecstasy
built chorals to intensity …
sounds only lovers know.
A mantle warm, as though on cue
swaddled my world in azure blue;
bright eyes set me aglow.
The atmosphere began to shine,
a tender whisper, “You are mine!”
… a spark was given birth.
Sweet primal verse I’d never known
assured, “No more you’ll be alone.”
’Twas then I felt love’s worth.
Cascading, gauzy evening dress
with gentle touch’s soft caress,
shot surging’s deep desire;
and, every star above aligned
as life intended and designed …
inciting embers to flare higher.
Full ruby lips, glistening heat,
ache’s succulence in thrumming beat …
craves inside to be filled.
Elegant fingers, gripping nails,
lust’s rapturous climax prevails …
released by lovers skilled.
Two souls entwined in primal bliss,
ache’s yearnings urged their first wet kiss
arousing’s need bestows.
Shines down, Moon’s shimm’ring silver beams,
setting aglow warm pearly streams …
heartsong’s sated repose.
Richard W. Jenkins
©2025
“American Sestet”
Original form created by
Richard W. Jenkins
© 5 Jan 1999
Any number of 6-line verses about anything:
Aligned left or centered.
Line count syllables per verse:
8/8/6/8/8/6
Rhyme Scheme:
xxxxxxxa
xxxxxxxa
xxxxxb
xxxxxxxc
xxxxxxxc
xxxxxb
xxxxxxxd
xxxxxxxd
xxxxxe
xxxxxxxf
xxxxxxxf
xxxxxe
Etc;
This is so passionate. Enjoyed this. Favorite line is “Dreamlike voices in ecstasy built chorals to intensity …sounds only lovers know.”
I’ve a theory, Fia 😏
Lines of poetry that most appeal are those the reader has felt and most easily relate to … either that, or have fantasized and dreamed.💫
I thought you might find a little bit of favor in this one.
Fia, your reviews are always like a happy hug!
Thank you ever-so warmly! ⁓ Richard🙏
Form poetry is an intimidating prospect for undisciplined free-verse poets (such as myself) Impeccable structure that does not take away any of the emotion. I’d say you nailed this one perfectly. Plus, you used the word “gauzy”, and I’ve been a big fan of that word for the last few years now.
Hello, Benjamin 🙏
It’s a distinct pleasure to meet you and to receive your graciously appreciative review for one of my humble pieces.
If you’d the mind to, I’ve no doubt you could use my American Sestet format to compose a virtual masterpiece of your own, that every poetess and poet would envy … and, I must take issue with your comment, “for undisciplined free-verse poets (such as myself)”. I say this, because there’s nothing simple or easy about Free Verse poetry … in fact, due to its lack of pre-set structure, it’s one of the most complex and skill required of all poetic forms, when composed properly.
Then, I thought seriously about whether to include the session on Free Verse from my group “Back to Poetry Basics” to explain why I said above, that “I must take issue with your comment.” And, decided, “Why not? It’s free and will exemplify exactly what I meant.”
I would love it if you join-in with the group, too: https://starsrite.com/groups/back-to-basics/
So, here it is:
~———————————•§•———————————~
SESSION THREE
Wednesday, November 11th, 2025
This session will be on the Free Verse form.
~———————————•§•———————————~
FREE VERSE
Because its unrhymed without a set meter or syllable count, the Free Verse is considered the most versatile of poetic forms. But, to be powerfully effective, it must flow smoothly and is NOT a narrative or prose form … it must have a poetic voice, spoken with rhythmic word-flow, with thoughts, feelings, emotion, and expressions grouped into verses, with appropriate line-breaks and enjambments.
“Properly” composed Free Verse poetry will display correct grammar, including capitalization and punctuation … in other words, composed in such a way that any reader can follow and understand what the author intends and wants them to grasp in rhythm, speed, mood, inference of thought, feeling,, meaning, and emotional timbre (‘tambor’ – voice quality, tone color, tonality, resonance, etc.
The heartbeat of Free Verse is imagery, metaphor, poetic syntax, and poetic voice, well-placed line-breaks and smooth enjambments.
“Iambics” work well with Free Verse, too.
There is no limit to lines or verses, topic or theme, mood, or otherwise.
(Free Verse example by one of my graduate students: her last name is coincidental … not a relative.)
COLOURS OF LOVE
“What do you think
when you look at me,”
you ask?
All I can do is stare,
teary-eyed,
speechless,
trying desperately
to find adequate words
in describing
such a beautiful life-form
standing before me.
“I see colors of love,
as I have never
seen them before,”
I finally say.
“I see tangerine hues …
fiery reds of new dawns;
saffron of rising moons
against star-sparkled
midnight blue
of nighttime skies.
I see golden suns,
silver glints dancing
in softly beckoning eyes
of …
fervent lovers.
I see rainbows,
flowers – I see, colors
laid at my feet
when kismet
first painted
You ~ into my lonely
black ’n white world.”
Dorina Jolene Jenkins
22 Nov 2012
~———————————•§•———————————~
We’ve covered a considerable bit, some of which you may already know and are merely brushing-up, while others are altogether new in the finer details of the Free Verse form.
Questions or comments? Make them here so we can all share, or if necessary, message me anytime and I’ll get back with you asap.
Lastly, write your own Free Verse poem from what you’ve learned so far. It can be about anything you conceive of. We can share them together next session and sort out anything that might be amiss … above all, “Enjoy!”
We’ll see ya after tomorrow’s lesson … ’til then, “Keep Freeversing!”
~———————————•§•———————————~
Thank you sincerely, Benjamin, for the honor of receiving your appreciated approval, praise, inspiring words in review, and expressed enjoyment of this original American Sestets piece.
I like “gauzy”, too! ⁓ Richard🖌
Beautifully penned, Richard. A very passionate write indeed, nicely done my friend. Appreciate you.
Damian
Many thank yous, Damian 👌
It’s always a joy to have you select one of my humble pieces toshare, and to receive your gracious praise.
“Happy Holidays 🎀 Syr!” ⁓ Richard🖌
Tremendous writing, my friend. Powerful.
Many thanks, Thomas👍 (my brother’s name)
It’s always inspiring to receive your accolades.
Happy Holidays! ⁓ Richard🖌
Hoi hoi @Richard,
Hope this finds you well?!
I’m a Dutchman, and in the Netherlands we cherish our poems.
Apart from the more or less serious/traditional poems (that I’m only vaguely interested in), we have the Hickeldy pickeldy (in English) or olleke bolleke (the same but in Dutch).
Of the latter, I must have written hundreds of poems. Therefor, I am very interested in the verse form you pointed out.
And I love the poem itself as well. In fact I love it a lot.
Keep on keeping on.
As Curtis Mayfield said.
Kind regards, Gus
It’s an honored joy, Gus 🌿
To receive such gracious words from a fellow poet who takes keen interest in poetic format.
From some years past, I am familiar with the Hickeldy Pickeldy Dutch form, and (unlike you) have composed but a few, one of which I’ll post for your entertainment.
I thank you most sincerely and appreciatively for your interest in my original form “American Sestets” … and, would be honored if you were to compose one of your own … we’ll call it a fair exchange, me with your Hickeldy Pickeldy, you with my American Sestets. 😃
As Bob Dylan sang, too, in his “Tangled Up With Blue ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwSZvHqf9qM ), “I’m keepin’ on keepin’ on”.
Kind regards, in-return, M’New Friend! ⁓ Richard🖌