Autobiography (Saturday Writing Essential) -...

Long ago…far away…

in another time and place,

a spark was lit

and we embraced.

I called you friend,

we shared a path

we pledged our love…

ever it would last.

You went away...

too soon you were gone

so dashingly handsome in your uniform.

You spoke of marriage and shared a dream

And yet…

maybe not all was as it seemed

I sent my love and thoughts…

My dreams across the ocean,

reached you as volumes, of rich emotion.

Symphonies of melody and chords

shared through pages of written words.

And then,

of a sudden it just seemed

No word from you…

was it just a dream?

My heart was shattered….

feeling your absence

As our song played on…

The White Rose of Athens

~~~

In memory of R. W. (April 9, 1937 – April 7, 2012)

Wisps of my youth are forever woven into my memories of you…

This Week’s Saturday Challenge:

To write a poem that reveals bits and pieces of yourself. Much like an autobiography.

Comments: 49

William M. Jan 19, 2013, 3:25pm UTC

Excellent. A memory with a lot of love but so sad.

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 3:41pm UTC

Thank you, William...

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elizabeth evans Jan 19, 2013, 3:31pm UTC

I love the song White Rose of Athens by Nana Mouskouri. Magi introduced it to me several years ago. I play it often.

....and so now we know a little piece more....unrequited love. I think we all have one of those in our closet.

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 3:42pm UTC

Bob..that is the very song by the very singer that is mentioned above...Love it, even though it brings back bittersweet memories.

Magi the magical poet is flowing with the wind Jan 19, 2013, 4:42pm UTC

It is one of my most favourite songs, Sonia, and Nana is one of my all time favourite singers. What an incredible voice to sing such an beautiful song.

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 5:15pm UTC

Mine too, Magi...she does have an incredible voice. I used to own several of her recordings, long time ago...

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Pam Brittain Jan 19, 2013, 3:35pm UTC

Sonia, this is sad, but beautiful as is your heart.

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 3:43pm UTC

Thank you, Pam...you're so sweet to me...

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Nancy S. Jan 19, 2013, 3:59pm UTC

Beautiful but so very sad Sonia.

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 4:07pm UTC

Thank you, Nancy....

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JOHN BECK Jan 19, 2013, 4:09pm UTC

Beautifully written; pulled me in emotionally.

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 4:18pm UTC

Thank you, John...as Bob said...I think we all have one of those in our closet.

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Ms Lee P. Jan 19, 2013, 4:30pm UTC

Awwww, long lost loves are often the ones who are remembered as being the sweetest.

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 4:37pm UTC

I wouldn't say the sweetest, Lee but the most poignant..

Maybe I should have titled this "the one that got away" ;-)

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Magi the magical poet is flowing with the wind Jan 19, 2013, 4:43pm UTC

What a lovely, lovely poem - and how so very sad.

On a brighter note, as one door closes, another one opens.

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 5:17pm UTC

Thank you, Magi...I am not very good when it comes to poetry, but that one just came as you read it when I learned of his passing...

Yes, doors close and others open...my whole life has been that way...Keeps it interesting...

Magi the magical poet is flowing with the wind Jan 19, 2013, 5:24pm UTC

I think it is very good - nothing contrived but straight from the heart. The title is so very well chosen and so very apt.

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 5:29pm UTC

Thank you, friend.

Magi the magical poet is flowing with the wind Jan 19, 2013, 5:42pm UTC

Just for you: The White Rose of Athens sung by Nana Mouskouri. I hope the link works.

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 5:48pm UTC

It worked...

Beautiful ...thank you!

Magi the magical poet is flowing with the wind Jan 19, 2013, 6:34pm UTC

My pleasure. Bob and I listened to it for the umpteenth time.

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Dorine H. Jan 19, 2013, 5:31pm UTC

Your poem tugs at the heart. There must be many youthful dreams woven through your memories of him.

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 5:42pm UTC

Thank you, Dorine...there were, but life moves on and new memories and dreams take their place..

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Karen E. Jan 19, 2013, 5:32pm UTC

Love can shatter the strongest hearts... Beautiful and sad write, Sonia...

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 5:48pm UTC

Thank you, Karen.

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Len Maxwell Jan 19, 2013, 7:49pm UTC

Very nicely done.

It is truly an honor to feature this on both Gather Writing Essential and The Triple Name Club.

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 8:13pm UTC

That is very kind of you, Len...Thank you for both features...

As I mentioned to Magi...I am not very good at writing poetry. Except for a few haiku and a couple of limericks, I have very few poems to my name and no idea of how to follow a 'set form'

Len Maxwell Jan 19, 2013, 8:22pm UTC

At least you wrote something. I'm pretty certain I've written fewer poems than you and I'm dreading what I might come up with for this challenge.

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 8:30pm UTC

I have all faith that you will come up with something wonderful!

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Kathryn Flynn Jan 19, 2013, 9:46pm UTC

oh my, oh my, oh my,.....

True love, truly beautiful, met, shared. . . separated.

I have not heard Mouskouri in a long, long time.. I will have to try that link...

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 11:13pm UTC

The link Magi shared is wonderful!

Thank you, Kathryn

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Alison H. Jan 19, 2013, 10:47pm UTC

A beautifully-penned stream of consciousness poem...with universal appeal. Sometimes it just doesn't work out...but we carry the joy, sorrow and the lessons forward.

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 11:15pm UTC

Thank you, Alison...yes, we do. ...or most of us do.
I know some that carry the grief forever and can never be happy...I have known a couple of of them...and I feel sad for people like that

Alison H. Jan 19, 2013, 11:19pm UTC

Yes, indeed...it helps to have a longer view than the experience of youthful encounters, or even encounters of this one lifetime. IMHO.

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 11:25pm UTC

True.

Its good that most hearts are resilient.. it can be devastating at the time, but "time can definitely heal wounds"

Alison H. Jan 19, 2013, 11:35pm UTC

Agreed...some say that hearts are "opened" rather than "broken"...though at the time the heart does feel broken.

Sonia M. Jan 19, 2013, 11:52pm UTC

Yes it does...

Thanks, Alison...my son is cooking tonight and calling me...
'later!

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Marilyn (PaintsOnSlate) S. Jan 20, 2013, 9:38am UTC

How very sad and so well written you drew me into the poem.

Sonia M. Jan 20, 2013, 11:43am UTC

Thank you, Marilyn

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Ann Marcaida Jan 20, 2013, 11:24am UTC

I found the lines about you sending volumes of emotion overseas and receiving no reply particularly moving. Keep writing poetry, Sonia-- you have a gift.

Thanks for sharing with Gather's Luminous Writers and Artists. Featured.

Sonia M. Jan 20, 2013, 11:45am UTC

Thank you, Ann...this whole thing came to me full blown when I heard of his passing...

We were in touch after 50 years of silence from him...and had just begun to be friends again...