Wow....my skin is tingling from this magical write ....one of your best robert.

a write of genius, deeply heartfelt.

I like how you brought us to his world and then went deeper into his character, how the world shaped him. Nice.
Sheila

the fleeting journey of the transcelestial voyagers we are jude -- to wit, bon voayage is the operative event -- this is an expression sated with passion for life my dear friend -- I bid you love and peace my dear friend -- Jon Michael

Got me thinking of another man tending his tomatoes. Godfather Corleone in his garden about to die. As usual you have a way of captivating the reader with images, real or surreal.

Ron

So many favourite phrases in this enchanting poem, I don't know where to begin......awesome poetry!!!!

Anna

Be who we are but don't get stuck there. I think that holding on is a very human tendency. As always Jude, it's a pleasure to read you.

Carmen

I enjoyed this insightful piece of art. Thank you.
Janna

Very poignant...beautifully rendered!

Beautifully rendered vision, Jude. I particularly was moved by the line "memories are always flowing from the pages in his eyes" as well as the last line of the poem.

-=ra=-

Such a moving and meaningful sharing through your verses, Jude. I find this to reach into my soul. Thank you. Love and peace to you,

Regis

AH...YES! TO SAY 'GOODBYE' TO THIS 'BAGGAGE', THE FLESH...AND FINALLY SAY 'HELLO' TO WHAT IS ETERNAL...THE SOUL. I LOVE THIS 'VIEW'...THE SOUL, ENCASED BUT PATIENTLY WAITING FOR THE MOMENT, THE TIME OF...FREEDOM. EXCELLENT AND APPRECIATED FROM ALL ARTISTICAL ASPECTS. THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS & FAITH...
JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS

OMG..my favorite!!!

Like takeing part of a story Jude. Great write.

Newfie Hugs, Rose

..and the sower went out to sow his seeds...
i will arise and go now...
my mind is flooded with thoughts, Jude,
poetic parable induced
there is both gentleness and firmness here
and great understanding of ephemeral us.

John

VERY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!! Liana Margiva

Sounds like an intimacy with the pages in his book, almost a mysterious reflection, cool poem. Morgan

You have created this character to perfection leaving me to wonder at his thoughts and at his life as the seasons pass one by one and the earth both gives and takes away. Does he feel alone with his thoughts as he sits or does he feel the flow of universe transmitted through all of nature that surrounds him? This is a buzz poem that continues to rattle at my mind and causes me to continue to ponder my own script of the story of his life.
Take care,
Sherry

!~ghost garden?~! This reminds me greatly of another, old lady's garden, I think? Anyway, think Amber is spot on with this one, Amigo. A real tear-jerker and the Bocelli/Brightman version of the song is indeed an apt accompaniment to the allure of your words; stars transforming into angels is quite beautiful. I've been looking up again Et in Arcadia ego today: "I, too (was there) in Arcadia", another perceived memento mori; the collective consciousness that is our Den's poetic pheromone is quite extraordinary! :)) Either that, or this is the Beatles: "You say goodbye and I say hello..." Whether a demise or a debut, the atmosphere is assured and yes, secure. Travel well and as always upwards and ever onwards, Kartero... until tomorrow! :)) xx

Life is a garden, he has tended his well :)

Life is like wine...made for drinking & tasting, over & over again...e

You took me right there...I could smell thr wine,cigar and even sweat...the imagery so amazingly vivid!!

Love Tinka

Jude,
Here is something that I know you will understand:

Time to say goodbye
Paesi che non ho mai
veduto e vissuto con te,
adesso si li vivro.
Con te partiro,
su navi per mari
che, io lo so,
no, no, non esistono piu',
con te io li rivivro.
Con te partiro'
su navi per mari
che, io lo so,
no, no, non esistono piu'.
con te io li rivivro.
Con te partiro'...
Io con te.

Ciao Bello,
Amber

Beautifully whispered about the inevitability of the route toward the future ~ but there is definitely freedom written in between the lines too.
Blessings,
Christine

Like a ghost that has already experienced what he knows the old man is headed for. Enjoy all the goodness while it lasts. Amen! Never take anything for granted. Having it and loosing it can often give one that kind of wisdom. A really touching character study Jude. Great! richard

The crop, as you've eloquently pointed out, isn't necessarily fruitmor vegetables. For some reason I keep picturing Marlon Brando as Don Corleone just before his deasth. Only he'd be sipping chianti, not burgandy.

Chip Bergeron

Very interesting take on an old man and his garden, especially liked the glass of burgundy (my choice) as he observed the fruits of his labor, his garden.

Also interesting was the narrator of this poem telling us that he was a bit more than just someone who was speaking of the poem and the wrinkled old man, that the narrator had powers we could only imagine, as in "say hello then whisper good-bye."