Awesome....touched the soul

stumbled across this tonight after many moons away. I'm in a seaside kind of mood tonight and your picture grabbed me, but it was your words that made me be still enough to let a deeper truth sink in. so glad you are still writing wonderful poetry. it is like rain for the thirsty spirit. Dawn

a man of great talent and wisdom penned this romantic masterpiece -- a man of understanding and depth of perception few have -- well done my friend -- peace and love -- Jon Michael

Oh my...
Carolyn

Jude, three lines I would like to have written:

she’s broken, fragmented, eroding

thrown from remote cliffs of once fertile dreams
onto a desolate shoreline of windswept emotion....

I'm glad you did. What joy to watch an artist at work.

-gene.

I think I know her. Beautifully put, revealed like layers of sand.

Ron

Perhaps to become whole we must first be broken. Beautiful pen Jude, heart touching.

A poem like this has to be washed over and over again to find the purity of the heart and buff the shine. Pliny the Elder said sand does not shine until it has been washed over and over by sea, removing its impurities, thus he discovered glass.

The duality of glass and the heart, their nature, hard and
beautiful, but fragile. To look at love's perfection through a glass-bottomed boat reveals the most delicate heart resides at the bottom of the sea, hiding in the tangles of seaweed amongst the eternal sand washed again and again by sea salts which heal the heart's wound...the seascape "framed in glass, a picture at bedside where love resides"...

s

Beautifully penned, Jude. The ending feels like a rescue. Hugs,
Sheila

Jude, how you can get so deep into someones psyche is astounding!
in a way it's scary;-) however,with her,you show such tender sensitivity and understanding, it is quite beautiful! This is exqusite poetry Jude,one of your finest!

This "erosion" - is real. The 'center/base' for all - love - will not deplete. "Where love resides" makes me feel as though time has stood still and given me a glimpse into the beauty of what is, if we will but take the time to be embraced by loves strength.

God bless you. Kathy

Jude,
A wonderful poem of rich sustained imagery and feeling, and with tenderness and understanding that move me deeply.
Thank you.

John

What can I say after reading the lofty reviews given so poetically by those who have already commented? Only that this is beautiful (too common a word) and touches a chord deep within. I love the verse, "where thoughts of touching stars, and sharing the warmth of a kiss, still reflect on the surface of a sea." As I ponder your verses, I think it can also describe the aging process, with which I am now well-acquainted. I prefer just looking at the cliff, and reviewing its days with you. truly beautiful!
Connie

The beauty of fading light and years pulls at every part of me Jude. Those of us who live near the oceans know what erosion can do and those of us who have been heart broken feel the ebb and flow of each pang.

My favorite.
Blessings and love,
Susan

This is now one of my favorites by you Jude. I relate to every line. I especially like the lines:

and she is falling,

falling from slippery slopes
onto dislodged pathways

rolling over painful pebbles
and graveled archways of aching worlds,

And, the picture is a poem in itself. Well done (as usual) my friend.

Tells a narrative tale as old as the sea itself, to which we can, I’m sure, all relate in one way or another. So softly sensitised to both observation and viewpoint, the lull and lilt of your verses is cradling and gently rocking - as if to seek to both soothe and reassure. This feels very much a companion write to your earlier The Climb (I believe you love to play with inversions and mirrors of gender, concept and imagery!), but owing, I suppose, to its original title and atmosphere, I can’t help but feel it in my own heart as a shadow of my Still Life. The essence of this seems both Dylanesque and very much of the environmental and emotional atmosphere of the Laugharne boathouse. But that’s a very personalised take.

For me, the centrifugal forces hinge on your subject’s recurring vulnerability to the cycles of hope/dashed hope exacerbated by the “advent of tormenting tides and hidden moonlight”. But the piece-de-resistance of the poem rests in that final couplet where she could either be missing out on “real” relationships (perhaps) by indulging her ghostly, phantom preoccupations, or, indeed – and perhaps even more devastating for “her” – not appreciating that that which she longs for is right there beside her at her place of deepest intimacy, albeit in an altered form and guise. To adore and adhere to memories in the way that you here articulate is both a blessing and a bind; an incentive and a hindrance.

One of your most recent, deeply-resourced bests, Kartero. This comes from a deep place of affection. The empathy as voiced by your word-choice shows much heartfelt attachment here. Kwmdonkin Kate xx

Beautiful! great pen!

Jude, a poem worthy of reading again, stunning and masterfully written!

A truly inspiring poem that i will carry in my heart and reflect upon through moments of weakness.

Thank you.

Victoria

Cool poem, Ace! I liked this stanza the most:

where the light and love
flow through her soul
when an adoring breeze looking back reappears …

Love & Light,
Joseph

Your words carve at the heart like a wind of Solingen steel, and at the mind of forsaken treacherous waters, a vessel lost in the outer realms, no compass, no return. Bless you! Jasmin Horst

EXCELLENT!!!!!!! VERY TALENTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Liana Margiva

Jude,

Amazing photograph and poem - beautifully illustrated in image and verse!

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

We all have been broken, fragmented, and eroded w=inside our hearts as we chase that elusive and sometimes deadly emotion called love. this is a great metaphor for the oft times tragedy of that search and discovery.

beautifully written in metaphoric style

One way love erodes, gnawing selfishly at the offered heart. Seas that will come to the magnificent cliffs to take a bite again and again and never stay, never in communion. Casanova waters.

Georg

Let me begin by saying that I love the photo, it takes me back to my childhood,on the beach, as does your poem. We do evolve, and hopefully along the way, so does our ability to take the bumps, curve balls and harsh side of life, in our stride. In doing so, we gain strength and character, in not learning that lesson, we remain bruised and unable to open our heart to love; only to stare at it and wonder why it has never been within our grasp. This is top-drawer writing, Jude, and though a bit sad, certainly a look at life through the eyes of one of its victims.
Take care,
Sherry

I read into this poem the eternal changing of nature as its landmarks meet the storms of time. I guess my first glance at that photo gave me the perception of cliffs having been ravaged. Great metaphorical write.

Very well done as someone looking on at someone who is dear to them but still...distant and achingly just out of reach.
fee

pain has a way of wearing down even the strongest faith...may she find her way through love...

Jude, I am speechless, this poem is breathing into my world and grabbing me by the gut. I adore your poetry, it speaks volumes to my soul, and makes me want to reach out and touch that amazing mind of yours. Never do you disappoint this longing that dwells within my heart. You know how to touch each drop of membrane liquids that struggle to stay within a breath of life. I guess I really love your poem, :) very stunning poetry my dear friend. The photo, where was that taken? on your shore? It is absolutely gorgeous!

Much peace, light, and love,

Amber "V"

This is another beauty Jude. Nicely crafted and superb imagery.