Poems to Ponder 3: Joie de vivre
63
By: Larry L. Conners
Ah, the Joy of Life...To steal the juice from tomorrow's imagined fruit, that wondrous trope that exceeds our desperate grope...
To cling to fresh scents of natures vapors...a warm, earthy bouquet that give rise to primordial images of Man's first embrace with Mother Earth's protective arms...
Fill my lungs with such sweet tonic, a fully sated and platonic, Love Affair...
I love Life, and Life loves me... To look is to see, Beauty, not so rare...
When searching for something new, follow the worn path of yesterday...
Old friends provide hidden gems when blinkered eyes are swept away...
Peek, if you will, into my cloistered world, behold the majesty of silent contemplation, the fierce joy of rejuvenation....
Look there, under that willow branch, a woman pauses, tosses, a glance...You make a Willie Mays catch, toss it back, she smiles, such a sweet, sweet smile...
Oh, Heaven has opened up, what sublime pleasures await?...Two souls have met without saying a word...Is that not enough to relish forever..?
Larry
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Petra...My learned friend...Such pleasure to read your astute comments...and thank you so much for the appreciated praise...
Yes, indeed, Carpe Diem is first and foremost in attaining the joy of life...coupled with enthusiasm and humor, life can be wonderful, positive, and so interesting...If you look for rainbows they will appear...if you look for rain clouds you can bet you will get wet...
Many men ( and women ) go fishing all their lives without realizing that it is not fish they are after...
Peace and love to you, my friend...Larry
Your words are pure nectar to my ears. To love life and find eternal joy along life's wondrous journey.Thank you for sharing your magical words.
acaetnna...Your sweet smile is always a please to see on my Hubs...Thank you so much for the humbling comments...
Such pleasure I have when I can share a bit of prose with my friends...I am truly fortunate to have so many fine poets here on HubPages with which to read and share comments...We all learn from each other, and each perspective, critical or otherwise, is important to me...Go well, my friend...Larry
I would hate to think that my difference of opinion with you on your other work touches or taints my admiration with your writing style. This was a nice trip through moments of memories and a few fanciful images on the way.
Thank you my friend and teacher for beautiful pieces of lines.
lol two agree with Maven and complement you dear Vladimir at the same time is a neat trick that I am somehow disposed to think I did poorly. I enjoyed this though.
Jaggedfrost...Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comments...philosophical disagreement is what pushes philosophical discussion...I thoroughly enjoy a passionate and intelligent sharing of different perspectives...
My Hub on Sisyphus, a 4 line observation of his predicament and how I perceived his response, generated much discussion that is still ongoing a couple of years later...Carpe Diem, my friend...Larry
Vladimir...What pleasure it is for me to share my prose with friends and family...You and Petra a special friends, in that you both have shared the burden of government tyranny, and as such, have a much higher respect and appreciation for the freedoms you have both found here in America...Freedom of expression being foremost...
May your God keep you close and safe, my friend....Larry
I loved this........... thank you for the simple beauty found in words, and thank you for the smile.......... Kaie
You're wonderful!! "Nature's vapors" - inspired!! Love this. Every word and phrase is a delight and all so uplifting! Thank you!! I suppose it's partly prose - but mostly poetry, Larry - if I may address you informally.
Good Morning Kaie...My favorite schoolteacher...Thank you for taking the time to stop by and leaving such welcomed comments...
" Smile, and the whole world smiles with you " is so very true...Peace and love, Larry
My talented Nellieanna...I'm humbled by your sweet comments...I'm reading my way through all your poems ( you are sooo prolific ! ) and, much like your " Pecorino ", I find myself savoring every bit of them...Your poetry is truly a feast for the soul...
John Keats, my favorite poet, has said " If poetry comes not as naturally as the leaves to a tree, it had better not come at all”...Your poetic tree is smothered in leaves of gold and silver...I can but rake the droppings and savor their splendor...Thank you, Larry
Simply beautiful. I have never felt any of these things, and it makes me a bit sad for myself.
Oh, jellio...now you have made me sad...Your wonderfully humorous and articulate Hubs belie that statement...surely you have drunk of natures bounty...the sound, smells, and visual beauty, all given to us for free...
I know, life can be challenging and hectic at times, but to quote an old saying " Take the time to smell the roses " is so true...Give yourself a couple of minutes each morning or evening to let your mind embrace the beauty and mystery of this one life we have...
There is a model in the management enhancement program, ModelNetics, called " The Seven Ports of Life "...There's even room for the 30 pounder in those ports...
Great to see you writing again, I missed you...Larry
Those are delicious compliments for me, Maven. And I have tremendous respect for you. I'll have to make sure to live up to them if I can. I am prolific, though, for sure, and it does come as naturally as leaves to a branch. It's distressing to notice "forced" or "constructed" poetry. At best, it's a bit like the painted background of trees for a stage performance. Of course - that has a place but it is not "real", except real cardboard and paint.
My favorite description of poetry comes from my favorite poet, - my muse, - Emily Dickinson, and it came forth from her in a rare interview with Thomas Wentworth Higginson when she submitted a timid poem for an Atlantic Monthly poetry contest :
"“If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me,?I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off,?I know that is poetry. These are the only ways I know it. Is there any other way?”
"
Nellieanna...I can't begin to imagine the intense passions that stirred Emily's brain...recluse, shy, consumed with unrequited love ( for two men and one woman that I know of ). I can understand her vicarious emotional response to poetry...her whole life was an understatement of what she was suppressing in that tight little world she chose...She even refused to name her poems, or have them published, as I'm sure you are aware...
I was surprised to learn that I share a common trait with her in my use of dashes when writing prose or poetry...We also share a love for the poetry of John Keats...His tormented soul and unrequited love must have been like finding a soul mate for her...Larry
Yes, to be honest - I've studied her life and letters more extensively than her poetry, though of course, it is impossible to resist the verses. You cannot begin to imagine how closely I felt akin to her life during a very isolated first marriage when my main outlet was my poetry. I found a kindred spirit in that shy, odd, small, repressed little poet with such a magnificently BIG spirit locked up inside.
Her "love life" was mostly all in her mind, unless some of the fabrications from little fact are so. Of course "Wild Nights, Wild Nights" raises many an eyebrow. At the time, it was not 'out' to raise any however. She was very close to her neices. It was to one of them she wrote of the dwindled dawn, I believe. Her dreams of love were probably ever like those of a schoolgirl. I wonder at times if she felt totally free to choose the lifestyle she had. Between strong father-figure and vision difficulties, her confidence was somewhat restrained. The time in which she lived was still not friendly to a really intelligent woman, either - and one with low self-confidence must have felt it keenly. But that she never broke out of it has always inspired me and helped me decide.
Heck Larry, we just need to be able to see the world through your eyes and your heart...I think you might have given us a peek and it was wonderful. Thanks much for sharing this verse! WB
Hi Wayne...Thanks for stopping by and leaving your much appreciated comments...You have been real busy as of late...Where do you get the inspiration and energy to create so many hubs on so many different subjects, including some really fine poetry..?
I'm hanging on for the 8 second call...been a hell of a ride thus far...Larry
Well - I meant to hit the awesomely useful and beautiful buttons but I hit funny too. We'll just live with it! Beautiful!
Hi Mickey...Good to see you, Brother...Thank you for the button bump...Life can be funny...I'm thinking about a poster I saw showing this black cat, eyes wide, ears back, mouth agape...the title for the poster was " What has been seen cannot be unseen "...cracked me up ...Larry
Ah, the joy of life, savouring the heart expression of the ever-humble Mr Connors. Thank you Larry, I love it all, even the comments make excellent reading. Your beautifully articulated imagery embraces life with conscious enthusiasm and presence. Presence, that’s what it keeps saying to me. Noticing all the wonderful things that are happening in the moment, and taking them in. I’ve just returned from a holiday to South Africa where I spent some wonderful times with my daughters, friends, and also just with nature. One of the highlights was getting up early in the Drakensberg mountains to watch the sunrise with my daughter. Forty-five minutes of bliss as we gazed and laughed and laughed as we reminded one another that this happens, in one way or another, every day. Thanks again and go well my friend. Russ x
Good morning, Russ...Such nice sentiments you have offered here...To be entwined with your daughter in the soulful appreciation of earth's bounty, living the moment, is pleasure beyond measure, my friend...I sense a new flood of inspiration from you in the coming months and look forward to you sharing your journey of love with us...Having read tonymacs many wonderful Hubs on South Africa, I am aware of the unique beauty of that fascinating country...
I have two daughters of my own, so I can fully appreciate your emotional attachment in the moment, in the comfort and love shared with each other...
Sala Kahle, my friend...Larry
I dont use the word beautiful much. Why i cant really say. But when i do use words i rarely say. One thing is certain. And that is that i mean it.I find most of your work to be beautiful. This is too.
TY
ray
Good morning Ray...Always a pleasure to hear from you...Thank you for the thoughtful comments...I await an encore to your latest," Forced Perceptions ", which I thoroughly enjoyed...Stay well, my friend, Larry
I often drop those Willie Mays' glances when they come my way, but, in the spirit of this poem, it's in the attempt that counts. Very loose and comfortable poetry here. A good read, as they say. Cheers, Larry, and thank you for the support during my first month on hubpages.
Morning, Doug...maybe you need a bigger mitt...Thanks for the appreciated comments...It has been a pleasure to follow you here on HubPages...Your poetry and prose is unique and thought-provoking...Thanks, Larry
Maven, You are so talented. That is another beautiful, tender poem that says so much. Two souls together without needing to say anything but still intertwined. Beautiful!
Good morning, Pamela...Your sweet comments are very much appreciated. There is nothing in this world that compares when two souls find each other amid all the challenges of this bustling life...Where does that spark come from..? What gets our blood surging, our passions awakened, our hopes and dreams suddenly right there, in that moment of discovery..?
Thank you for stopping by...Larry
The wondrous hidden depths of each soul. found as one spins this way or that through life's many paths. How we dart in and out, only catching a glimpse now and then of this or that. Voted up up and away, Have a great New Year full of prosperity and joy for you and yours. :D hugs :D
Sa'ge...What a beautiful comment that captures the essence of joie de vivre...the sudden jolts of pleasure in a casual glance, touch, or smile...I have a memory of one such moment, an unspoken look between two strangers, as we both acknowledged the absurdity of a certain situation, and smiled with our eyes...there was a moment there when I felt our souls touch and it has remained with me since...
Thanks for stopping by, and may you and yours have a wonderful and joy-filled holiday season...Larry
"To look is to see, Beauty, not so rare" - seeing beauty in so many unexpected and unlooked-for places - that is to live with awareness and the joy of the moment. That is the reality in consciousness that we sometimes call "heaven", having no better word for it.
This is a wonderful evocation of the moment of seeing and the experience of beauty. Thanks for sharing it.
On a different note altogether (or perhaps not so different?) I love your new profile pic!
Love and peace
Tony
Hi Tony...Yes, Beauty is everywhere, and that is the truth of it...My favorite poet, John Keats, has writ in his Ode to a Grecian Urn, " Beauty is truth, truth beauty, --that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."...And there is Truth and beauty in the innocent look of that beautiful child in your profile pic...
Thank you for the well-received and perceptive , as always, comments...
I wanted the world to see the source of my inspirations, she who must be obeyed, she of the genius level IQ, that gorgeous redhead that lights my fire and gives me her body and soul, and more...Take care, my learned friend, Happy holidays to you and yours...Larry
Hi Larry- Great profile pic. Been gone tooo long but am back and ready to roll. "two souls have met without saying a word" is such a magical and deep image and my favorite of this piece of work. Gerry
Gerry...So good to see you back on HubPages...I'm looking forward to your latest...Thank you so much for the thoughtful comments, your friendship and expressive critiques are an important part of my HubPage's experience...Erin go bragh, my friend...Happy and safe holidays to you and yours...Larry
It is enough to relish forever!
arb...Yes it is!! Thanks for stopping by and commenting...Go well, my friend...Larry
"Two souls have met without saying a word...Is that not enough to relish forever..?"
Yes Larry, it is! This was beautiful............. thank you and Merry Christmas! Kaie
You are the man...Larry. When you write...Hubbers take note! Blessings to you and your family this Merry Christmas...Signed, Steve
Kaie...My favorite teacher...Thanks for stopping by...your sweet comments are most welcome this Christmas day...Merry Christmas to you, your family, and your fortunate students who are so lucky to have you as their teacher...Larry
Steve, great to hear from you on this Christmas morn...We just finished opening presents and one was a new wireless mouse that I had to try out...When I found yours and kaie's comments it was like opening up new presents...
My thoughts always go to Leroy whenever you comment on my Hubs...I'm wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe holiday season...Larry
Thank you, Larry for that...and Always a Big Thank you to Leroy! Semper Fi
This is so beautiful. Thanks for share with us. Keep on writing. Love and peace!
Prasetio:)
Prasetio, my fellow teacher and friend...Your presence on HubPages is such a pleasure to all Hubbers...Your comments are always intelligent, kind, and positive...I'm sure your students benefit from your sensitivity and Joie de vivre...
Thank you for stopping by and leaving comments...Love and peace to you also, my friend...Larry
You are so talented! Another good one! Thank you for sharing. Love the new pic
Ladybird...Great to see you here !! Thanks for the nice comments...Speaking of new pics, yours is spectacular...It shows you are a leg up on everyone else...Hau'oli Makahiki Hou, Larry
Beautiful!! The images that your poetry brings to my mind..Thank you!
Azure_sky...Thank you so much for the sweet comments...Carpe diem, my friend...Larry
"I love life and Life loves me" I think I will borrow this (if you don't mind) and use it as my daily verse to keep me inspired and uplifted, especially when the going gets tough. I also like the line, "Old friends provide hidden gems . . " As always, you express yourself wonderfully. Beautiful!
lmy...Thank you for stopping by and leaving your much appreciated comments...As aforementioned to Petra, if you look for rainbows they will appear...if you look for rain clouds you can bet you will get wet...I prefer to always be on the lookout for rainbows, and when I find them I always discover a pot of gold...Like you...Larry
Many thanks to you for you have made me smile this day!!:)
And such a beautiful smile it is !!! Thank you, my friend...Larry
Must always return for another review of your beautiful words. This Hub has generated a lovely exchange between yourself and Nellieanna whom I adore. Her Lillies photoshop is a display of her artistic talent for arranging flowers which she does as skillfully and naturally as she arranges the images of her poetry. We are all truly blessed to be drawn into the company of such creative souls. Thank you ,my friend, for your leadership in the tenor of this fine community.
(curtsy), Sligobay - may I call you Gerry, too? You are too kind to me but Larry deserves all the accolades!
Gerry...You are always most welcome, my friend...Thank you for the appreciated comments and reminding us of the treasure we have in Nellieanna here on HubPages...She is such a pleasure to read and is the very essence of Joie de Vivre...Larry
Most certainly, Gerry is the name my mother gave me, God rest her soul. Nellieanna and Larry, you are each muses in your own right and your collective encouraging words for me and many, many others, are the adhesive bond of community which have held my ADD cyberspace inattention to the focus of Hubpages. I was a candle in the wind flickering,fanning,flaring, flitting, floundering and oftimes, extinguished. Your kind words have so often, relit, reignited, replenished and reinvigorated my spirit with hope, inspiration and love and encouraged and inflamed my efforts. Thank you both, my amusing muses.
Gerry...Your expressed literary talent is my reward...You have much to give from your generous and sensitive heart...My support of your writing is echoed by the myriad of followers that provide encouragement and exhibit pleasure for your Hubs...You are not in need of a muse, my friend...Your towering talent stands alone, providing intellectual enlightenment and moments of poetic beauty that dazzle the soul...So, if anyone is a muse it is you, my friend...We merely acknowledge that fact...Larry
Thank you, Gerry! A-musing is a muse-related word! :-) You're a joy to follow and to acclaim! I've never known you with the candle-in-the-wind responses, so I only know you as a vital, interesting writer.
Larry - if I may - you're too gracious! Thank you. I fully agree that Gerry's talent needs no support, though it is a pleasure to support it. Dazzling is an appropriate adjective for both of you!
Nellieanna...Such sweet words from such a sweet lady...Peace and love to you, my friend...Larry
WOW nice poem I very rarely read others poetry and feel deep appreciation though I do give it my best college try but your poem spoke to me I read and read and was constantly impressed.
x-dplus-x...Thank you for the appreciated comments which I rate an A-plus...carpe diem, my friend...Grab some today...Larry
I can’t believe I just discovered this. Your words are unique, powerful and beautiful. The love affair with life is truly sweet and is to be savored. How sad that we do not seize each day and understand how amazing this journey truly is. Up, awesome and beautiful.
Im a lazy reader.But i find myself reading your stuff over and over.
Cheers
ray
Genna...I can't believe I just discovered your wonderful comments...Sorry for the late acknowledgement...Carpe diem, my friend...Larry
Ray...My sensitive and talented friend...You are always most welcome here...Your comment humbles me more than you know...Go well, my friend...Larry
Petra Vlah Level 3 Commenter 18 months ago
I have waited sooo long for you to delight us again with word of wisdom and poetic grace. The joy of life and love comes to the ones who embrace it first and know what abandon into the reachess of today means and how much more they can get back. Thank you, Sir