Ascending
Ascending, you shall grow to know
The slow apotheosis of the breath,
Where patient death kindly offsets
The debts you failed to pay.
Vow therefore, from this day
You shall repay the favours shown
For though the end’s unknown
It’s certain yet.
So leave no stone unturned,
So leave no stone unturned,
No kindness unreturned.
For thoughtlessness,
Like rampant weeds
Can choke the grandest tomb
With unrequited deeds.
© James Rainsford 2012
Photo copyright: James Rainsford
Note to readers: My attempt at a Shakesperian sonnet. Posted as my contribution to dVerse Poets. Your views are welcome and I'll respond to all who visit here and leave a comment.
Kind regards to all who meet in the pub tonight, James.
True, wise, and finely wrought.
ReplyDeletenice...ascending often means descending to serve and then rise...leaving the good things that happen to us not unreturned is a good thing...great flow in your sonnet as well james
ReplyDeletePerfect in its form, James...and flawless in its lesson. Wars are waged based on unrequited kindness...we are a species prone to carrying grudges and tallying misfortune...we know better than to let kindness go unrewarded...yet we do...over and over and over again. You present to us a simple fix for this wonderful world...think they're listening?
ReplyDeletenice....you did really well...the rhythm of your words is very nice...and the end will come...we dont know when so yes, leave no kindness un-returned...i like the heart in that...smiles...
ReplyDeletewell done!!!! I just returned from a meditation retreat and our focus for four days was lovingkindness.
ReplyDeleteWould you like to participate in the gratitude quilt this year? This will be the fourth year I'm working with others to create this quilt of words on my blog and it is quite amazing to read all the words of thanks linked together. To learn more about the quilt and how to add a "patch" of your own to it, visit my blog. At the top you will find links to quilts from other years.
So very true, James. A flawless sonnet. This poem shows me that kindness should be returned with kindness.....in every case. And thoughtlessness is more hurtful than we may realize.
ReplyDeleteKindness is something that no one should procrastinate over offering. I love this poem, it left me with a warmth and faith in humankind's potential.
ReplyDeletePretty impressive -- and I could hear the voice of the man of years speaking. The weed similie was fantastic. Thanx
ReplyDeletethis one is short, but it is a fantastic verse.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving.
Thanks for your comment Stephany. Much appreciated. The poem is a sonnet and its length is determined by a long established poetic convention which dictates the number of permissable lines.
DeleteI like this very much. The message is so clear and yet, so gentle in its offering. We need to make peace with whatever it is in this world, before we meet the next. How true.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem.
I like this very much, James. both in form and in message. The sonnet always seems to lift our words a little higher, frame them and focus them. I think it may reach some very basic part of our brain that responds to the oral tradition, because it always seems to connect, or at least when it is as well written as this one. Beautiful, stately, and balanced poem.
ReplyDeletelovely sonnet.
ReplyDeleteyour word glow like fire.
smiles.
This is a truly beautiful poem. Iambic pentameter is so hard to nail.
ReplyDeleteWonderful job with the form and the line: the slow apotheosis of the breath--brilliant.
ReplyDeletegreat to see you today james...hope you had a wonderful holiday...
ReplyDelete