Submit your work, meet writers and drop the ads. Become a member
1-**  Wood
The tender shoots emerge, unfurling slowly,
A vibrant tapestry against the soft earth.
Raindrops cling like tiny, glistening jewels,
Reflecting the nascent light of early spring.
Within these Whispers of the Green, my heart resides,
A quiet yearning mirroring nature's gentle push.
Each unfurling leaf, a breath of hopeful air,
Carries the unspoken longing I feel for you.
The world awakens, and my thoughts drift your way.

The breeze stirs softly through the budding trees,
A rustling murmur like secrets being shared.
Birdsong weaves a delicate, airy melody,
Filling the spaces with vibrant, fleeting sound.
And in these Whispers of the Green, I hear your absence,
A subtle silence where your voice should be.
The vibrant life around me feels incomplete,
Until your presence graces this verdant scene.

The garden path, still damp from the night's rain,
Winds through the burgeoning life in quiet grace.
Each new bloom a fragile, hopeful offering,
A testament to nature's patient, steady hand.
Yet in these Whispers of the Green, a deeper echo sounds,
A longing for your footsteps beside my own.
The beauty of the spring only sharpens the void,
A quiet solitude amidst the vibrant growth.

The sky above, a canvas of pale, hopeful blue,
Stretches endlessly, a boundless, open space.
Clouds drift lazily, like thoughts unburdened,
Across the vastness of the awakening day.
These gentle Whispers of the Green carry my desire,
A silent message on the soft and fragrant air.
The spring unfolds, a promise of sweet return,
And in its verdant heart, my longing waits.
Project Title: Elements of the Heart
Volume 1: Wood (木) - Growth and Renewal
Poem #1-**
See collection for description.
The year breathes awake,
like the first blush of April.
A tenderness unfurls, slow and deliberate,
mirroring the hesitant green on the branches.
My heart, a landscape softened by spring rain,
finds its echo in your quiet strength.
A love less like a sudden storm,
more like the persistent warmth that coaxes life.

The distance between us, a winter frost receding,
leaving the ground fertile for something new.
Our entwining is not a sudden grasp,
but the gradual weaving of vines reaching for sunlight.
In the unfurling of each leaf, I see a promise,
a resilience reflected in your gaze.
This bond, not brittle, but flexible and deep-rooted,
like the enduring heartwood beneath the blossom.

Each petal that drifts down, a silent offering,
carries a piece of my being, a whispered devotion.
The air itself hums with a gentle longing,
a melody only my soul recognizes as your name.
I trace the delicate veins of a new leaf,
and find there the intricate map of my affection.
This is not a fleeting infatuation,
but a rooted yearning that stretches towards you.

The breeze carries not just air, but my unspoken words,
a soft sigh that journeys across miles.
My heart beats a rhythm that only finds completion
in the imagined cadence of your own.
Until the moment our paths converge again,
I find solace in the enduring promise of spring,
a quiet certainty that this love, like the season's return,
will meet its fullness under a shared sky.
I haven't written in a while.
3-** Earth
The gentle breeze, a murmur soft and deep,
Where loving truths, within his spirit sleep.
A fertile scent, that soothes his troubled mind,
"Follow your heart," her guidance he will find.
The rooted earth, a mirror to his soul,
Where steady growth, will make his spirit whole.
The valley's peace, a map upon his dream,
To guide his steps, where loving virtues gleam.

The Earthen Whisper's Hold, a secret, warm and deep,
"I am the secret in your heart," where gentle shadows sleep.
The earth's embrace, a comfort that endures,
Where love has cleared, the path to her secures.
The summer's breath, a nurturing, soft and kind,
To build a home, where peace he'll always find.
Her whispered words, a promise to be near,
To banish sorrow, and dispel all fear.

The fertile ground, where gentle seeds take root,
Now blossoms forth, her loving absolute.
The ancient stones, of wisdom's steady art,
To build a haven, that will not depart.
The flowing stream, that carries her sweet sound,
Where love's true essence, can at last be found.
Her gentle voice, a promise to embrace,
"Follow your heart," and find her loving space.

The Earthen Whisper's Hold, a beacon in the day,
"I am the secret in your heart," a guiding, loving way.
The earth's soft touch, a comfort and a grace,
To lead him home, to her embracing space.
The dawn arrives, a golden, hopeful hue,
That melts the frost, and makes his spirit new.
Her loving gaze, a promise to be true,
To find his soul, and make his spirit new.
Project Title: Elements of the Heart
Volume 3: Earth (土) - Stability and Connection
Poem #3-**
See collection for description.
1-02 Wood
Dew glistens, hibiscus blooms,
Sun peeks high, Koko's crest.
Shadows fade, Hanauma's calm,
Ocean sighs, tides gently roll.
Brown hair unbound, a steady sound,
Sun shimmers, on her sleeping face.
Chest rises, falls, in gentle sleep,
Hibiscus adorns, a tranquil scene.

A gentle breath, a moment's peace,
Hibiscus Heartbeat fills the air.
A soft drumbeat, deep within,
Tranquility, a love so fair.
The drum quickens, a thunderous sound,
A sign, a gesture, in slumber deep.
Yet she remains, in peaceful rest,
A longing touch, the heart will keep.

Ear turned, a gesture, a beat divine,
Hand reaches out, a soft caress.
Hand meets hand, a connection found,
Beat so strong, a silent song.
Heavy heart beats, a morning's grace,
Love's pure touch, a heart embraced.
Slumber deep, a dream unfolds,
Connection flows, a story told.

The deafening beat, she cannot hear,
But feels the touch, a blissful sign.
She feels the beat, so strong and near,
Hibiscus Heartbeat, love's design.
A serenade, in morning's light,
Longing for love, to come her way.
Two hearts entwined, in gentle might,
A love so pure, where dreams hold sway.
Project Title: Elements of the Heart
Volume 1: Wood (木) - Growth and Renewal
Poem #1-02
See collection for description.
2-02 Fire
Desert blooms, a rose unfolds,
Winds howl, ice and snow descend.
Greyed hair, weathered skin appears,
Jade eyes pierce, a veil is drawn.
Fragrance drifts, on chilling air,
Two hearts beat, a tender touch.
Head rests soft, on aged chest,
Land of fire, and ice entwined.

She, a soul of strength, through trials passed,
Ember and Jade Embrace begins anew.
Hurt and betrayed, yet love remains,
Aloof at times, when love is true.
A rose in bloom, a steadfast heart,
In lands of ice, she finds her way.
He, from this land, of fire's grace,
A captivating scent, where shadows sway.

Hands warm, cradling, shielding form,
Heartbeats merge, a tender sound.
Veil is lifted, love takes hold,
Two souls meet, on hallowed ground.
Ice and fire, a dance begins,
Weathered skin, and blooming rose.
Greyed hair whispers, stories old,
Jade eyes gleam, where passion flows.

She opens wide, her heart's embrace,
To this aged man, with gentle art.
His tender touch, her mind's soft haze,
Ember and Jade Embrace imparts.
Two hearts warmed, in love's sweet hold,
A refuge found, from chilling breeze.
In this embrace, a story told,
Where passion blooms, with gentle ease.
Project Title: Elements of the Heart
Volume 2: Fire (火) - Passion and Transformation
Poem #2-02
See collection for description.
4-01 Metal
Rocks below, a heart laid bare,
Tides recede, a shattered soul.
Wounds are fresh, a fortress built,
Hands reach out, a comfort sought.
Flames ignite, a journey starts,
Shadows fade, echoes remain.
Intruders creep, mistrust takes hold,
Questions sting, a mournful song.

I thought the pain, a distant shore,
But Shattered Reflections now appear.
Her wounds mirrored, my own deep scars,
Betrayal's echo, a haunting fear.
Feelings stirred, a flame's rebirth,
Unintentional, yet deeply true.
Doppelgängers rise, from depths below,
Lost and drowned, in memory's hue.

Helping hands, a mend sought out,
New beginnings, where shadows flee.
Twisted minds, sow doubt and strife,
Betrayal's sting, a lasting pain.
Real or false, the question burns,
Past pains linger, a haunting tune.
Wounds remain, like anything,
Echoes rise, beneath the moon.

Who is real, in this mirrored scene,
Shattered Reflections blur the sight.
The past returns, a haunting trace,
A mournful echo, in fading light.
The heart's long hall, where memories dwell,
A song of pain, that time won't quell.
Yet through the shards, a truth remains,
A strength reborn, from past refrains.
Project Title: Elements of the Heart
Volume 4: Metal (金) - Grief and Letting Go
Poem #4-01
See collection for description.
1-01 Wood
Sunlight, a pale wash across the room,
catches the curve of your sleeping shoulder.
A stillness hangs, a moment held in amber,
before the world's clamor breaks the quiet.

My heart, a quiet drumbeat in my chest,
a warmth that spreads, a gentle, rising tide.
This love, a gift you placed within my hands,
an old soul's wonder, found in morning's grace.

Rays of light, like golden threads, entwine
through strands of hair, a halo on your cheek.
The air is thick with the scent of peach and rose,
a fragrance woven from your very being.

I trace the line of your jaw, the soft swell of your lips,
a landscape etched in the memory of touch.
This waking moment, a fragile, precious thing,
the first sight, the first breath, the first, always you.
Project Title: Elements of the Heart
Volume 1: Wood (木) - Growth and Renewal
Poem #1-01
See collection for description.
2-01 Fire
Golden orb, a day's dominion,
Shadows shorten, then lengthen again.
Silver disc, night's silent watcher,
Tides respond, a rhythmic sway.
Pinpricks of light, a cosmic tapestry,
Galaxies swirl, distant and vast.
The world turns, predictable cycles,
Elements dance, in ordered array.

Unseen, yet felt, a constant warmth,
Like a hearth's glow, deep within.
The moon's soft light, a guiding comfort,
In moments of doubt, a steady gleam.
Stars, a reminder of boundless love,
A silent promise, in the sleeping heart.
This enduring presence, a cherished truth,
A love that transcends, all earthly bounds.

Sun's corona, a fiery halo,
Lunar phases, waxing and waning.
Stellar clusters, cosmic nurseries,
Planetary orbits, in measured paths.
Seasons shift, a natural rhythm,
Life unfolds, in intricate patterns.
The universe breathes, a grand expanse,
Time's passage, a flowing stream.

My heart echoes, the sun's warm embrace,
A love ignited, a burning flame.
The moon reflects, my deepest longing,
A quiet devotion, in whispered sighs.
Stars ignite, a boundless admiration,
For a love that shines, eternally bright.
This Celestial Hearth, a constant beacon,
Guiding my soul, through darkest night.
Project Title: Elements of the Heart
Volume 2: Fire (火) - Passion and Transformation
Poem #2-01
See collection for description.
****-Narrative | Yin

Twelve days have passed, and no word comes to me,
no painted stroke, no ink upon the page.
I fear the silence, yet I picture her,
a solitary figure, far away.
She seeks the earth, to ground her restless soul,
the water's flow, to cleanse her troubled mind.
The fire's heat, to forge a stronger will,
the wind's soft sigh, to whisper ancient truths,
Beyond the Element Mountains, she must roam.

She walks the paths where granite peaks arise,
where rivers wind through valleys, deep and green.
She feels the heat of embers, glowing bright,
the rustling leaves, a language she can hear.
I see her face, reflected in the stone,
a mirror to the strength she holds within.
She seeks the balance, lost within the storm,
the harmony that silence can impart,
a journey inward, where her spirit flies.

I wait for her, a shadow in the room,
where empty scrolls and brushes gather dust.
I trace her image, on the window pane,
a phantom artist, painting absent days.
I hear her footsteps, in the falling rain,
a distant echo, of her coming home.
I feel the longing, that the silence breeds,
the ache of absence, in the heart's long hall,
a story written, in the waiting time.

She will return, with wisdom in her eyes,
a quiet strength, that silence has refined.
She will bring stories, of the mountain's crest,
the river's journey, the fire's burning grace.
And I will listen, to her whispered tales,
of ancient elements, and inner peace.
For in her journey, love has found its way,
to bridge the distance, that the silence made,
where spirits meet, Beyond the Element Mountains.

--------------------------------------------------­--------------------------------------

Ci-Meditative | Yang

Twelve suns have risen, twelve pale moons have waned,
and silence stretches, a vast, unyielding sea.
No ink-stained paper, no painted breath arrives,
no whispered echo of your distant voice.
I picture you, beyond the city's hum,
a soul adrift, where ancient elements reside.
The earth holds steady, where your bare feet tread,
a grounding force where turmoil starts to cease,
a silent journey, Beyond the Element Mountains.

The water's flow, a cleansing, cool embrace,
washes away the doubts, the fears, the stains.
The fire's dance, a flicker in your eyes,
ignites the passion, where resolve takes hold.
The wind, a restless spirit, whispers truths,
through rustling leaves, a language understood.
The metal gleams, a mirror to your soul,
reflecting strength, a clarity reborn,
a quiet passage through a world unseen.

I trace your steps, a phantom on the path,
imagining the landscapes you explore.
The granite peaks, the river's silver thread,
the burning embers, the sigh of forest breeze.
I build a shrine of thoughts, a mental space,
where your reflection lingers, calm and deep.
My mind, a canvas where your image lives,
a portrait painted with imagined light,
a patient vigil, where hope begins to bloom.

The silence lingers, heavy, yet serene,
a space for growth, a pause where love endures.
I trust the journey, where your spirit flies,
to find the answers, hidden in the stones.
And when you return, with eyes that hold the dawn,
I will embrace the wisdom you have found.
For in the stillness, love's true strength is shown,
a bond unbroken, by the passing days,
where silence lives, Beyond the Element Mountains.
Authors Note:
This is an experiment in a new style.  
**** is a style from the Tang Dynasty - Common to Li Bai writings.
Ci is a style from the Song Dynasty - Common to Li Qingzhao writings.
This is my modernistic take on the styles and my understanding and template to follow.
I am also trying to associate with Tao - balance in the poem, so I provided both.
Naturally, I would have preferred to interweave the stanzas, side by side, left and right justified, but HP isn't quite doing what I want.... thus the experimentation and request for honest feedback.
Funny thing is Yin is feminine energy, and Yang is masculine in nature.  Just like in China, the union (wedding) is represented with the Dragon (male) and the Peacock (female).   And in my relationship that I often write, She is the dragon, born to the year of the Dragon.  So roles reverse a little, again bringing balance.  This poem is no different, as the Yin part is written from my perspective, and the Yang from her perspective.  Much like the poets famous for these styles.  **** was feminine but used by Li Bai, a man to gain notoriety through its use during the Tang Dynasty.  Ci was male but used by Li Qingzhao a prominent poetess of the Song Dynasty.

"****-Narrative" (Yin): Love and Melancholy (No Rhyme)
Focus on a narrative of [briefly describe the story or emotional journey].
Use concise imagery and express [specific emotion(s)].
Use the 9-8-9-8 stanza structure, and do not use rhyme.

"Ci-Meditative" (Yang): Nature, Perception, and Perspective (No Rhyme)
Focus on [theme of nature, perception, or perspective].
Use vivid imagery and an introspective tone.
Use the 9-8-9-8 stanza structure, and do not use rhyme.

Rhyming is optional, however, I find that life doesn't always rhyme, so I avoid it letting the energy and thoughts flow freely and more naturally.
I also used the 9898 sentence structure in the stanzas because 9's and 8's are of significance to the cultures of the East for luck, happiness, and prosperity.

Sorry if this turned into an educational post.

Enjoy, and I look forward to the feedback.
The night's deep well, where Whispers of a Silent Heart reside,
On silken winds, a phantom dance, where secrets softly glide.
My silent heart, a jade-clasped box, each thrum a muted strain,
Time, like thick honey, slowly drips, a sorrow's gentle rain.

Shadows on papered walls now bloom, with memories' faint trace,
Lost dreams, like plum blossoms, swept from a forgotten vase.
A single star, through clouded panes, a fragile hope's thin gleam,
While the world, in breathless hush, awaits the dawn's first beam.

A sigh, like rustling bamboo leaves, stirs tender thoughts anew,
Wrapped in the warmth of solitude, where only truths accrue.
The heart, a silkworm's hidden thread, its softest sighs impart,
Whispers of a Silent Heart, a world held deep apart.

In quietude, a lotus pool, where unseen depths unfold,
A universe of solitude, in stories yet untold.
My painted brow, a furrowed line, reflects the moon's pale light,
Whispers of a Silent Heart, alone in fading night.
The light, a fractured prism, paints a wall,
But what hues dance there, is not for all.
My eyes, a filter, stained by memory's trace,
See crimson where another finds a gentle space.
The scent of rain, to me, a promise kept,
To you, a ghost of tears, a sorrow wept.

The mountain's peak, a triumph, sharp and bold,
To those below, a story yet untold.
The river's flow, a journey, smooth and grand,
To those it floods, a vengeful, grasping hand.
A whispered word, a lover's softest plea,
To jealous ears, a sharp conspiracy.

The canvas vast, of moments spun and frayed,
Each stroke of sense, a different truth displayed.
The taste of wine, a vintage, rich and deep,
To bitter tongues, a poison they will keep.
The touch of skin, a comfort, warm and true,
To those betrayed, a wound they can't undo.

The rustling leaves, a symphony of sound,
To anxious hearts, a threat on hallowed ground.
The city's hum, a vibrant, pulsing beat,
To weary souls, a suffocating heat.
The silent stare, a gaze of pure intent,
To guilty minds, a judgment heaven-sent.

The world unfolds, a tapestry of sight,
Each thread a truth, held in a different light.
Beliefs and values, woven, tight and deep,
Shape how we see, the secrets we will keep.
A half-full glass, a beacon, shining bright,
A half-empty void, consumed by endless night.

The bridge we build, between our separate shores,
Demands a language, that forever explores.
No single map, can chart the human heart,
Each landscape shifts, and tears the world apart.
And so we ask, and listen, and explain,
To find the common ground, to ease the pain.

The silent spaces, where our visions clash,
Require the gentle touch, of understanding's flash.
To share the stories, that our senses weave,
To bridge the gaps, that time can never leave.
To build a world, where empathy can thrive,
Where different eyes, can learn to keep alive.

And in the quiet moments, when we’re alone,
We ponder the foundations, we’ve always known.
We seek the answers, in each other’s gaze,
To navigate the labyrinth, of life’s complex maze.
Though we look at things from a glass half full or half empty – perhaps the question should be - is there a glass?
Author's note:
I remember a conversation years ago, where I had acquaintances - uber-nerds that all attended undergrad studies.  They started a discussion to egg the high school-educated Marine into a debate - whether to belittle me or embarrass me.  And the quantum state postulate of Schrödinger's cat was the subject.  Though it is a physics question, it rang of a psychology question I had once concerning Perception versus Perspective - and I remember being asked to leave by my professor after disrupting the class with my answer in the form of the question in the poem.
I posed the same question to the uber-nerds, and it shut them up.
Is there a box, Is there a cat?  Is there a glass???  prove it.....  Perception vs. Perspective
Jiǔzhài Xīnyǔ

Shānsè kōngméng suǒ bì hú,
Fēipù yín liàn wǔ yún qú.
Dié cǎi yáochí yìng tiānjìng,
Qīngliú wǎnzhuǎn sù shǔ dū.

Qiūfēng rǎn lín fēngyè chì,
Dōngxuě fù lǐng yù qióng zhī.
Sìjì lúnhuí jiē shì huà,
Xīn suí liúshuǐ jì xiāngsī.

Céng yì qiāng gē rào cuì gǔ,
Jīnzhāo mènglǐ fǎng yōudú.
Xì tīng Jiǔzhài xīnyǔ sù,
Yī lǚ xiāngchóu rù fèifǔ.

Whispers of Jiǔzhàigōu

Mountain hues, misty, lock jade lakes deep,
Flying waterfalls, silver silk, cloud pathways sweep.
Layered, colorful pools, heaven's mirror gleam,
Clear streams, winding, Chengdu's tales they seem.

Autumn winds paint forests, maple leaves burn red,
Winter snow covers peaks, jade tapestry spread.
Four seasons turn, each a painted scene,
Heart follows flowing water, longing, serene.

Once, Qiang songs echoed in emerald valleys,
Today, in dreams, I seek its lonely alleys.
Listening closely to Jiǔzhàigōu's whispers,
A strand of homesickness, in my heart, I hold.
My sencond poem, written in Li QingZhao's ci poetry 5-7-5-9 rhythm and style.
I spent a lot of time in the Jiuzhai Valley.... absorbing the culture, and visiting the National Park.  I encourage you to visit https://en.jiuzhai.com/ learn of this magical natural wonder of this park.
Liǔ Xīn

Chuí liǔ sī sī xì xīyáng,
Yín bō mò mò yìng yuèguāng.
Gēn zhā nítǔ chéng hòuzhòng,
Zhī wǔ fēng zhōng sù zhōngcháng.

Rì nuǎn róu tiáo zhǎn xīnlǜ,
Yè hán xiān yǐng yè qīngjì.
Jiāngshuǐ yōuyōu zài biélí,
Xīnxù wàn qiān jì liǔdí.

Chūn lái huā luò jiē shì kè,
Wéi yǒu liǔ sī qiān húnpò.
Mò dào lí chóu kōng zì rǎo,
Liǔ xīn yī diǎn zhào shānhé.


The Willow's Heart

Silken willow strands bind the setting sun,
Silver ripples softly reflect the moon's spun.
Roots in earth, bearing burdens deep,
Branches dance in wind, secrets to keep.

Warm sun brings tender shoots of vibrant green,
Cold nights, slender shadows, lonely scene.
River flows, carrying partings' sigh,
Myriad heart's thoughts, in willow flute lie.

Spring's blooms and falls, all passing guests,
Only willow threads, the soul invests.
Do not say parting's sorrow is in vain,
Willow's heart single point, illuminates mountain and plain.
Written in Li QingZhao's ci poetry 5-7-5-9 rhythm and style.
I hope that I did her justice with using her stylings for this poem.
Next page