Love Poem: hope hushed

hope hushed

bound by doubt, I stood there amidst the bluebells
watching where she'd been but a moment sooner
dusk to come, her breath hanging like the
       shadows
she, thus departing

on my tongue, sweet words melted soft and
       tender
all those daring, romantic thoughts I'd gathered
passion dreams that longed for a voice, but
       silenced
with my reluctance

"please don't leave!", I begged of her proud
       affections
"you're the blushing flame that so warms my
       marrow!"
still, those sounds had not found my lips for
       voicing ...
heavy, that stillness

rife, those times that I'd worked hard to impress
       her
waiting, long, the chance of this evening saunter
there I stood, waist-deep in the meadow, darkened
mourning my chances

as her shape was swallowed by shrouded
       gloaming
rose the moon, perfecting its grand enchantments
I, then, choked on words meant for love's
       endeavor
now, sad ... unspoken.




Copyright © 2019 Gregory Richard Barden